Most people got burned in the market crash, me included, because they were gambling with market appreciation.  

I really enjoy the TBP but I found a UK based equivalent to them : The Property Hub http://thepropertyhub.net/forum/search/They have property meet ups all across the UK but not one yet in Ireland so you can start one yourself!

Its a big gamble, and one the note seller is obviously not willing to take to potentially earn a meager $5k more.

This is a gamble in regards to appreciation. 

on one of your post a reply came back that your comparing oranges to Iceberg lettuce and for sure you are when you compare vegas and Memphis.What caused the meltdown in Vegas and PhX  @David Faulkner  well I can tell youVegas relys on gambling and tourism in the crash any tourist city and gambling city got hurtand then for rentals  what killed that market and phx is that a very large portion of your renters were in the building trades subcontractors laborers etc etc.. building came to a complete STOP.. those thousands upon thousands of jobs left.. and most of those folks rented.Memphis is a rental city and has basically always been one with about 50 to 55% of pop are renters.

That being said, no one knows where the line will be drawn with gentrification, so it's a gamble either way.

I'd never invest for the potential of appreciation alone, it's a silly gamble.  

I don’t have much experience on creating a business plan and to make things more interesting he lives in the UK.

Lastly, this amateurish notion that appreciation is merely whimsical speculation, fitful gambling, etc. has been debunked many times on BP.

Previously, I lived in the UK for 9 years.