Generally, you shouldn’t pay off your mortgage early unless you can pay all of it off. it’s better to have it as reserve (in case of lost job etc) and given the typically low rate you can generally get a better return else where.

Two part question: I am just about ready to get my first STR up and running and am looking for advice on anywhere else I should be listing the property besides the obvious Airbnb/VRBO.

A license is only required if you are managing property for someone else.

See if @Jay Hurst has a better financing option for you in Texas and get out of this mess while you still can without losing a ton of money and sleep would be my recommendation! 

Accounting system is a mess… >- Firing people at least weekly 1-2 employees at a time. it is clear that hiring and yet but appropriate for these people firing is what they do best.- Remember that people have left other work for this and only there a short time.

How should I think about purchasing  our primary residence vs using our money to invest somewhere else when living in the Bay area (San Jose area)?

We have cable or YouTube TV.Can't be cheap on this.We even advertise if someone else isn't offering cable channels what else are they cutting corners on?

I know it's in the works, but we would be ready to subscribe and pay once that is finished, provided we don't come across something else that meets our needs in the meantime.

Has this happened to anyone else?

For the material participation test, the easiest way to get it is Via the 100 hours and worked more than anyone else.