Because knowing what I know now, I would have liked to put in appraisal contingencies with my offers.Very confused and starting to think my agent is taking advantage of us.

At the end of 5 years, I would technically be $21,500 'richer' on the balance sheet due to the investment, as well as $50,000 added additionally to the balance sheet from repayment of the loan from my W-2.I'm literally taking money out of a tax-advantaged account that I can't touch until retirement, without fee's and penalties, and using it to invest in cash flow assets that I will get back at the end of the investment period. 

There is no reason not to take full advantage of such a fantastic loan product. 

When working for yourself, buying BRRRRs, Flips, STRs, Etc, there is no advantage that I am aware of.

@Jeremy Nault HELOC is a line of credit and that creates advantages, but you could just do a cash out refinance on the property.

Getting started so young is a huge advantage.

You will be living here and utilizing the advantage of your high appreciation market, compounded with quality leverage from an owner occupied loan.

We are getting an Apple HQ over the next few years so you'll see continued job and wage growth.I also work with a handful of out-state-investors in both the Raleigh/Durham and Greensboro markets on purchasing rental properties with great success to take advantage of the aforementioned appreciation, great ROI on rental rates, and continued rent growth with the limited housing inventory and incredible demand.You can't go wrong buying in this market especially with the amount of capital you have and what I can only assume to be a strong DTI based on your original post.

You wanted a competitive advantage so you waived your inspection contingency.

Best advantage of note investing is there aren't many "life threatening" deadlines you need to jump on, so for the most part you can do your end of the deal when you're awake in your timezone.