It's just not as efficient as maxing your leverage, but it's also safer and will give you greater peace of mind.

Peace of mind, risk tolerance, etc are factors too. 

It is an additional step of checks and balances, and gives us a little extra peace of mind

But basic question - there are eligibility requirements (related to service in peace corps or armed forces) for VA loans, correct?

I’d love to get them peace of mind and strategic guidance.

A few hundred for peace of mind is well worth it.

Having this mindset provides you with freedom and peace of mind throughout the chaos of your first investment.

If you have enough tucked away to live 40-50 years on your anticipated budget considering inflation then I don't think there's anything wrong paying down your mortgage early for peace of mind.Assuming that you are going to remain in the home you are talking about, paying down principal has terrible opportunity costs if you assume even a modest return on the savings.

If all your competitioin is offering it and you aren't guess what, that puts you at a disadvantage. where I live all of the close by apartments have wash/dry and cahrge $40/month more for them. they use cheapest brand, no bells and whistles machines. never put a front loader in a rental, the filter gets clogged up with coins and the rubber door seal gets moldy and also tears after a few years. 

They help bring me peace of mind that fixing up a property over time can be achievable and (hopefully) less stressful!