If not, then it's pretty bad advice.Obviously, your present title company does not want to / will not contact the previous title company about this issue and therefore, you should do it.You don't tell us the amount of the payoff but assuming it's large enough where you don't want to take a "hit", then you should deal with this issue before the sale and not payoff a loan that is covered by an Owner's title insurance policy.The sooner you file a claim with the previous title company then the sooner you will have this issue resolved and cleared in order to be able to sell the property without your paying this loan.You should personally be involved in contacting the prior title company and in that way, you will obtain actual knowledge of how your claim is being processed etc.Finally, verbal contact with the prior title company is ok as long as you begin and continue to communicate with the previous title company IN WRITING after you have filed a written claim.As to an attorney, if the attorney can help you expedite the process with the previous title company, it may be worth it to hire one in this situation.Good luck.  

One needs it sooner than the other and I want to use materials that will last through the wear and tear from my tenants.

Because that means they might be a little more flexible on move in costs, (and possibly credit rating).You can get them with a pool and hot tub if that's your thing, and many have a workout gym too as well as professional management.I will give you a heads up though, look and see who your neighbors are in the complex before you rent.

The goal for us is to buy & hold, fairly local (<1hr away) single family homes to help supplement the income from our full-time jobs and allow us to retire sooner.

Are you more towards the later part of that 3 years you're looking to move or something sooner?

Wish I had known about it sooner. 

Biggest regret: not buying it sooner!

Ask yourself what you are willing to do if he stops paying, because he just told you in so many words that's what is going to happen, and sooner than later. 

Essentially, that was my question initially...if there's any benefit to paying off the mortgage sooner vs opting for the longer loan term and still maintaining a good cash flow etc.

Sooner or later the MHP septic system will fail.