If I want to make a charitable contribution I will give one instead of gambling with the money.

So while the raleigh area might be great, it seems like you're really betting on the appreciation to make a good investment.If you're looking to gamble and want to use the buy low sell high theory, then maybe those are the better units to buy.But if you really want to build some cash flow, try ratcheting down your neighborhood and units and you should be able to really put that money to use.I don't know the area at all but I looked on HUD's website and they've got a decent looking 3/2 1800 sq ft house built in 1996 listed at 117k.

Their response was that they wanted someone who had done less than three deals.Property Ladder in the UK started about 5 years ago.

I'm looking forward to the UK v.

I do not gamble with this. 

You may want to research why paying 50% upfront is a high risk gamble and why you should NEVER pay cash.3) WHEN: housing values are not predicted to drop - although they may flatline.

Gamble.

when i have been soliciting for a loan, i keep getting contacted by people in the UK, and they require "LOAN INSURANCE"...Has anyone done it?

I hear what you're saying about the cost to make them habitable but I don't think that will be considered a gamble when you're looking backwards a few years from now. 

http://www.justice.gov/usao/id/news/2013/dec/andersonskinner%2012092013.html Here is an editorial about it expanding on what went on... http://www.lewrockwell.com/2013/12/william-norman-grigg/police-state-justice/ "At his change of plea hearing, Anderson admitted to having knowledge of an illegal gambling operation that was being run out of a house he owns located at 6655 W.