Some of this comes down to lender overlays and their ability to work with you on the documentation.

Why does denying agents the ability to show a commission benefit anyone? 

The cash flow from this property ($1,300 profit after expenses) can also help support your ability to qualify for a refinance.HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit): Another option to access equity is through a HELOC.

When you move out of the city, the debt on the current house will negatively affect your ability to borrow to purchase a different place.  

We have the ability to pull an application from one lender and move to the next if it doesn't work out for some reason, instead of shrugging our shoulders and sending you on your way. 2.

The paying off debt sooner rather than later part is essentially just being done to give us financial freedom and the ability to leave our jobs quicker.

Either can work in the long-term, but if I had to do it over again at 23, I would suggest a 2-4 unit that demonstrates the ability to cash flow assuming all units are rented.

I think you missed;1- easiest and fastest way to sell their property 2- qualified buyers when given the opportunity of buying via seller financing won’t tie up ability.  

Not to mention, your knowledge grows exponentially when you have the ability to be hands on with your investments.

It still has the ability to input time blocks, of course.