My wife and I are moving to the area as well and looking at our next investment.

.: Emotionally..... pay off your primary.Financially..... use the $$ to buy assets that make you $$...hands down a smarter use of your capital Especially if your interest rate is well below what the current rates have been. 

But he will there after if things go well. 

My wife and I have a few homes near campus we use as student rentals and they certainly perform well.

I don’t think well maintained, well run properties that have rents at or close to market value should ever be that difficult to sell.

But I'm glad i can help and I'm currently looking in (Texas) my market as well for a Single family and possibly multifamily.

Also underwrite the property as a long term rental as well.

I don't include non paying Tenants because I like a small slice of positivity in my life and prefer to think I did our screening well enough that all our Tenants are paying.Cheers! 

Please correct me if I'm wrong on the states mentioned above as well.

I’m always happy to pass along referrals as well!