This was, however, during the super easy credit, sub-prime lending, pre-real estate market crash era.

New research shows that flippers and investors are more responsible for the housing crash of 2008 and near economic collapse, then subprime borrowers per this article https://qz.com/1064061/house-flippers-triggered-the-us-housing-market-crash-not-poor-subprime-borrowers-a-new-study-shows/What are everyone's thoughts?

You really need to look at why markets go bust and what this market has in common with the other times we have crashed. 

My experience has been that non-appreciation markets also don't crash like appreciation markets when something goes sideways. 

Meaning, buy in the high times, buy in the crashes, and buy in the middles.

I'd rather get a nice double-digit return on a loan secured by real estate at really low LTV than continue to risk equity in a market I feel is likely to crash soon.The risk/return profile of that loan beats the stock market any day of the week.

Another thing to think about with deposits is how contractors always end up in the hospital or crash their truck or have something crazy happen to them in the middle of your job.

I am currently undergoing a crash course which I have created for myself consisting of reading books, blogs, forums, watching videos, joining RE clubs, and anything possible to expand my knowledge and get into the game!

If there’s an apocalyptic crash then all bets are off but if you have factor in some nominal hiccups do you: 1.) make less money, 2.) break even, or 3.) lose some/all of your principal?

The requirements to become an appraiser have become more strict after the most recent housing crash.