Real Estate Timing Question

[Aceneth Diaz]

Hello everyone! My name is Aceneth, I'm 23 and I live in Houston, TX.  I've just recently gained an interest in real estate investing and I think it can be really good for me and my future, even if I'm just doing it on the side along with a full time job. I've been reading as much as I can about real estate, trying to understand the whole process and learn all these terms. (BiggerPockets has been a great resource!) I'm more interested in getting started with buying a duplex and living there while renting out the other side as many of you have. 

Now, my question is:

I'm expecting to purchase my first car by the end of the year (Tesla Model 3, so excited!!). And I will be financing it. So should I wait until after I've bought the car to search for a duplex? If I go ahead with finding/purchasing a duplex in the next few months, will it affect my chances of approval for the car loan by the end of the year?

Im so lost as to what order I should be going in. Or maybe they can't be done so close together in time. 

Any feedback you guys have for me what be great!! Thanks so much!

[JD Martin]

Given the choice, you would want to own real estate before the car. Especially since you are buying something so expensive and financing it (buying depreciating objects is not recommended if you want to be financially independent). It is easier to get financed for a car when you already own a house than the other way around. Besides, if you are going to find that you can only afford one or the other, affording the duplex would be better than affording the car.