Much faster than REI.

If you pay down extra, then next month the payment stays the same but more money goes to principal, which pays off your mortgage faster.2 things that you might be missing are the time value of money and inflation.Time Value- Being able to use $1 now is more valuable to you than waiting 30 years from now to get it.Inflation- Money will typically be worth less in the future.

My #1 piece of advice is to buy something, just to get the ball rolling and learn.Be smart about it obviously, but don't be one of the lurkers who we see years later who still hasn't bought anything.Experience is worth it's weight in gold.

If you have mobility, I would even consider faster growing cities where the inventory is lower cost.

Being debt free with outstanding loans takes a huge weight off your shoulders. 

Sometimes the hoa moves faster on foreclosing than a bank holding 1st position.

To me, time is everything and the faster I can get to my goal the faster I can enjoy my life even more. 

If all you are after is passive income, why not just invest in a REIT, bond fund, or a mutual fund heavily weighted in real estate?  

If you are in a rising market, then it will likely be really hard to save faster than the pace of appreciation.  

It sounds like you need the $$ faster than that which means I think you’ll have to go with a hard money lender.