My original loan amount is $323K, balance left $319K at 7% and 28 yrs and 8 months left.

I also noticed you left out an option to park that money in index funds and let it grow.

Is it best to just throw cash flow at the loan untill the principal is paid off (current cash flow between the two properties after interest and all expenses are paid plus vacancy rate = about $250 left monthly) refinance at renewal to pay it back in full? 

It appears they quickly know how to adjust and select the right property.

Rates are high right now and I think you have a great situation here for you.

Right on.

That would be a helpful addition to your plan as you would further reduce your cost of living.Also don’t forget from that $600 you are planning on getting in cash flow you have taxes, insurance, maintenance, capex, and vacancy to consider.With two homes, you may want to keep that extra $20k as an emergency fund rather than spending it on a third property and then be left with no emergency funds.

I’ve saved enough for a down payment, but I’ll be left with only a little bit for emergency funds.

if anything then I would set a flat fee to pay them for their service and then if you do find a property that offers buyers agents money, in which almost all I have seen still do...then I would have the title company back out the amount you decided on and the agent gets the remainder of the amount of commission that's left over. 

It's pretty easy to get suckered into a bad out of state deal because others want to make a quick buck, and you'll be left holding the bag.