“Because on $210k mortgage with 3.5% interest rate is only $7.3k per year in interest even if you didn’t pay it down at all ($210,000 *.035 = $7,300). “
I just checked. It is $235,000. And I have no idea where you are getting 3.5%.
Interest rates have been 3.5% or lower for most of the last few years. I’ve gotten sub 3% three times and 3.5% on rental properties (which have a higher rate) in the last 3 years, including the last 6 months. I did a 2.875% no cost refi a year ago. Figured anyone who could had already refied