lifestylez wrote:
My point here is if I had of let economic factors stop me from buying, I may never have got started and never experienced a good performing asset.

Exactly! Completely I agree with you! The best ways to become better is start doing it.
In my opinion, you should buy.

Some good books you should refer:
The Wall Street Journal. Complete Real-Estate Investing Guidebook
Great Big Book on Real Estate Investing: Everything You Need to Know to Create Wealth in Real Estate
Investing in Real Estate, 5th Edition by Andrew McLean and Gary W. Eldred