Those you listed will definitely be in the consideration set for buyers looking at our area but they’re not apples to apples comps, given they’re mostly newer construction and in HOA developments vs ours being a standalone single family with longer history.

But if it's still possible, staying with a smaller mortgage payment while sinking the difference and any extra into student loans would probably accelerate your goals.

Lots of appreciation potential, new development & properties, new metro connecting from Washington DC.

It would be for a development.

Just be careful and run your numbers with an extra padding if you invest in IL.

The question now is to work with your tax advisor on developing a strategy to minimize those taxes, and put more money back in your pocket.

Or if you wanted, developing a new campground.

Does this naive suggestion elicit uncontrollable laughter from the experienced developers who are reading it? 

And right now i'm concerned that if i nab an extra $1200 a year out of this while living there that it could be the worst $1200 i've ever made.This would be a moot point if i wasn't owner occupying the unit, or if they were already paying close to market rents and i only had to increase by 5% to stay current.

You need to be mindful of that, and develop a strategy to ensure you can deduct interest.