Some things matter more than saving an extra $200/month because you chose to live in a market you didn't necessarily like.

@Caleigh McDonough age old question.How long will it take you to save the extra funds vs how much the property may increase in price over that time?

I don’t have any debt besides my mortgage fortunately or unfortunately however you look at it, and I’m not opposed to using my extra funds to buy down my mortgage but I’m afraid it won’t lower my DTI quite enough.

I've reached out to lenders here on Bigger Pockets- but their rates & terms seem high (DSCR or just not good terms)- I qualify for a conventional loan, but my DTI is almost maxed so why pay an extra 2-3% DSCR when I don't have too. 

Earn cashflow from entrepreneurship.2.

It's easy to obtain, costs very little, and doesn't require extra, on-going effort to maintain.

A lot of them charge much higher and include extra "material" but if my experience tells m anything, you won't need that. 

Traditional lenders don't care about your savings or net worth; they care about your employment and earnings.3.

But what you pay extra for those lots doesn't justify the return in rents you're going to get.

Price/Earning ratios make it not worth investing.