The illiquidity of certain market types has not even been rationalized by wall street.

If the current interest rates are low, you are interested in buying more and your debt to income ration won't impede you buying more....I wouldn't pay them off aggressively. 

Paying above market to gain other benefits is sometimes a difficult pill to swallow, but for the unbiased investor looking for the best” ROI the risks and rewards must be analyzed rationally.  

For the most part, dealing with people driven by emotions and incapable of rational thinking, I didn't bother with ANY of it.

Since rational thinking, solid economics, and true history aren’t allowed I.

I rationalize by saying ''welp not the right kind of tenant'' but in reality if I get 50-75 dms only half that fill out the google form.

The question you ask sounds simple, only because most people go by “gut feel” rather than any rational thinking.  

We try to set people up for success day 1, but often they don't listen.You're right, both about me thinking about HELOCs and not 2nds and the rational for the protection of the homestead. 

It ties into your great grandfather’s troubles during the 1932 depression; your grand parents ability to purchase a home in 1953 for $100 down with a VA loan, and your own psychological well being at having to have a percentage of your income going to pay debt each month.However, unless debt is so debilitating to you that it keeps you up at night and inhibits your ability to make rational decisions, the decision to pay off debt early is merely a function of numbers.  

Need to read contract, in this case, THIS one becomes a investment, like a stock ( although you cannot rationalize the corporate strategy)