Please explain how it's not smarter to invest money if it out performs your debt?

But travel hacking is cool and you can easily outperform what you'd make with points by paying the mortgage. 

There all all kinds of investments that historically outperform "Real Estate" As an ambiguously defined investment device.

Most view units out perform non-view units and a lot of 1 Beds out perform 2 Beds.This is just an overview but I hope this helps a little.  

COC notes will generally out perform owning the asset .. and its true mailbox money .. no tenants toilets or trash or crime LOLI lived in palo alto for years so I know what you mean about 2 blocks you just cross 101 to EPA and back in the day it was VERY dangerous..

Appreciation is pretty flat but a good working class neighborhood that is relatively safe (I personally used to live there and would again if needed)I have other properties, and other opportunities that I believe will out perform but as always there are no guarantees.  

My rentals have outperformed every other asset class I hold.

After considering income and expenses for any given year, not one of my 70 vacation homes produced more than they would have as a long-term.I know a woman that managed four little houses in Cody and she out-performed my long-term rentals every year.

In other words the stock market historically struggles to out perform bank CD rates.

It allows for a higher level of control.I think 40K invested in Denver will outperform a lot of other markets around the country, in the long run.