Of course you would have to weigh this vs. the benefits you were getting with the better rate and writeoff from your HELOC. (3) this is just purely a mental thing that some people may struggle with - overextending yourself on your own home.

Make your joy in real estate not come from the end sale, but from each successful effort toward the end goal.There is a story of a climber who ran into another climber who was coming back from the top of a mountain.

On a pure cashflow basis, this looks great (without seeing the other expenses).

Then my wife to my surprise and joy suggested that instead of taking the profits and spending them all on the short term that we try to invest them in some other properties closer to where we live.

Was this pure speculation... you bet.

I am considering investing in 'lots' purely as investment with no thoughts of building on it.

I shouldn't waste my time with you, its obvious you have some very personal issues that need to be dealt with, and I hope you resolve and learn to live and find joy in all areas.And yes not to brag, but since you bring it up I am the president and CEO of Tokyo Capital One here in Tokyo.

I spent several semesters in architecture school working on these types of projects for cities around 100,000 in population and learned that all of these ideas tossed around are purely speculation.

Actually it sounds more like they're just not too bright with their money.This whole thing seems more like just pure "salesmanship".

I had to go through several title companies before I found one that is a joy to work with.