Personally, I view postponing enjoyment in order to hopefully save enough to retire someday is a far greater gamble.  

I suppose they are not lies, but they don't capture overarching truths - which could lead new investors on a poorly chosen path.

I have not.The current owner walked away from this home because he is a gambling addict who could no longer afford the payments.  

If you don't your either gambling or guessing with your money.

I am gambling on the timeline for this cycle will be 2 years or less.

;) and take me out for a drink Unless you are still in the mood for gambling.

It was a big gamble because there was no guarantee the market was going back up in the short or long run. 

But thats a gamble.

Have you chosen your brokerage yet???

For months I spent time researching different investment methods, and various ways people tend to get started, but recently I made a decision to follow through on my chosen niche for getting started in making money through real estate and I fully committed to pursuing that one avenue.