Total newbie just a couple questions

[Kevin Cyr]

Hello Bigger pockets community, I'm looking to get started in real estate investing, I'm currently in CO but moving back to my home state NH at the end of February. Im currently reading BP "the book of real estate investing with little to no money down" and I just have a few questions.

I'm in debt but have my finances tracked and a budget to be debt free in 9 months. Then from there will be able to set aside 1500 a month from my W2 job, should I wait until I'm debt free to start and just learn as much as I can during that period? 

Ive been playing around on Zillow and the housing there isn't cheap compared to some of the other properties I've seen people posting about on here, is NH a bad market to get started in? 

Apologies if questions are too general and thank you for any replies!

[Greg Scott]

Kevin:

I'll answer one of your two questions.

Debt isn't a four letter word.  Most real estate investors hope to have massive amounts of debt (to purchase properties). That said, there is good debt and bad debt.  If your debt is consumer debt, such as high-interest credit cards, it is best to get out of those as soon as you can.  Still, I wouldn't say wait. 

The important thing is whether or not you qualify for a loan.  Work with a mortgage broker to understand your borrowing power.  Then if you find a deal, you can make an educated decision.  Do I pay off my loan at X% or am I better off using that cash to buy this property that makes me Y%?