The days of hardcore gambler only is a dying breed and they now have other options all over the tri-state area. 

My opinion is only to do flipping as you really have to have a strong gut and be a real gambler to be a landlord.

Is trying to prove to him that you're right and he's wrong tending to bring out the gambler in you?

This is how professional gamblers, playing games of skill (poker, 21, etc) can make a good living at it, despite the odds being in the house's favor.  

I take the other side of the gamblers bet so I'm more like a casino.

I'm relying on compounding effects to scale moderately with low to moderate risk.I'm a big gambler, but even I wouldn't gamble like Beau is...

... no pros investing here in CA, only amateur degenerate gamblers, nothing to see here everybody, and no money to be made, so please move on ... :)

If I was a gambler I would lay $1000 this is a scam.

It's a gamble - rates have not been getting better unfortunately, they seem to keep getting worse.  

I'm assuming at this point, based on my new lower numbers, I would simply be moving from RE investor to speculator/gambler on property value appreciation...as i would likely only breaking even or taking negative cash flow until significant appreciation occurs.looking forward to any creative ideas!