Some questions about future investment

[Dillon Clark]

I am currently in the planning phase of my real estate investment journey and had a few questions I’d like to ask someone more experienced.

Would it be smarter to focus on paying down my own mortgage and then use a HELOC as a down payment for my first investment property, or should I simply use my savings for the down payment instead?

I recently purchased my home in October 2023 (before starting my real estate investing journey), so I don’t yet have access to any substantial equity. Based on my current savings rate, it would take me about 3-4 years to save up enough for the down payment on my first investment property. I’m curious to know what others think about these options.