If you can work this job in this market, you can do it anytime!  

If the answer is yes, then it's a no brainer to make minimum payments on your 2.8% interest rate mortgage, and use the funds that you would have paid extra to pay it down faster, to either invest in more real estate, the market, or anywhere else where you can get a ROI > 2.8%.If the answer is no, then feel free to aggressively pay it down as fast as possible, to become debt-free faster, and just have a large amount of money in savings or to splurge with.The bottom line is that your 2.8% mortgage is GOOD debt.

I want to learn as much as I can before diving into the investing world.

Here’s what you need to know:Key Benefits for Landlords1.

I agree that pricing a rental too high is a classic mistake than can make it sit, but don't you think encouraging landlords to rent quick will make them compromise on the vetting of the tenants?

There is a storage deal that is actively being raised for over there that you can practice analysis on.

It's never a bad time to buy if you can purchase below market value.

Your income isn't high enough for it to make sense as a rental and the closer you get to your residence limit the greater pressure you will have to sell it before losing your exclusion in whole or part. 500k right now can make $15k per year income with zero maintenance or tenant risks. 

Quote from @Courtney Dettlinger: Your equity is not a savings account from which you can withdraw for free.

Depending on how that conversation goes, post a 3 day for nonpayment.