Don't forget you have to pay intrest on your loan, you HAVE to be able to pay your mortage in the next 10-20years and you'll have ALOT of expenses maintaining the house. Real Estate seems like a "even an ass can make money" kind of way, but there are alot of people who failed at investing in real estate. Also if you're married get SOLID legal advice
I wouldn't touch real estate with a pole if you only have 10K$ to invest. Only do realestate if you got ENOUGH liquid money to handle everything that could go wrong.