Or they are just collecting leads like spam email marketing then sell the potential leads to wholesale buyers?

We consider looking for or offering products, properties, services, referrals or loans to be advertising.We have to hold a pretty strict line or the forums will quickly get overrun with spam like most online forums.

Frankly, I see everyone who owns a rental in California just gambling with their future.

@Caleb Pittman thanks man, I just tried to send you a message but was greeted with a notification immediately saying “you have been banned from the bigger pockets messaging system for spamming” ........not sure why that happened.

Buying and rehabbing used homes can be a gamble - I've placed some that cost as little as $10 - 14k for buying, relocating, rehabbing, renting, etc.

So it's a bit of a gamble in my opinion as opposed to hard money loan,  and you better make sure you have extra good deal.

If not for spam filtering on my phone I'd have to get a new phone.I 'cold call' people but when I do it I say "Hi bob, I'm calling about your property at 123 Smith street.  

As long as you don't squander it gambling or getting new cars you would be much better off IMO.

Personally, I don't like to put my money into something I can't control - yes the stock market has been great, even during COVID, but I would rather put my money into something I can manage (even if not 100% due to moratoriums and zoning risks) versus a stock that I have no control over and is basically a legalized form of gambling. 

If you invest leaning towards appreciation that’s more like gambling in my books.