I'll be renting initially but will look to find the right house to buy as a primary residence.I assume that if a house I find through my marketing is habitable and is one I'd like to live in, that I wouldn't have trouble using traditional bank financing.

Ideally your FICO is > 740.I know what you mean, but they're still underwriting the property, as it has to meet guidelines for condition/habitability, appraisal amount, etc.

Life is short, be good, do good, don't harm anyone and love like there is no tomorrow! 

Can anyone let me know if this is a wise idea or if paying this off early may do more harm then good?

Personally collecting rent is a bad habit that is hard to break for tenants.  

By doing something no matter how small you are also developing  the habit of doing.

@Alex Hamilton not quite sure what you are saying but I meant no harm.

Careful, it can be an addicting habit :)

MH's cannot be moved... the only way they can be replaced is to dismantle on site.Not worried about tenants they cannot live any where else in the state of Oregon for less money unless they co habitate with others.

There is no harm it getting someone to help you "find" that property as long as you are truly interested in "buying".