I am wondering how much of a gamble I'd be taking because negative monthly cash flow seems pretty risky.

The only way you could argue this is that you can prove 100% beyond a shadow of a doubt the owner tricked you fraudulently.

It was a gamble/"fun money" buy for us both as he is brand new to real estate and just wanted to get his feet wet and it was in a market I was a little curious about.

Gambling is everywhere now and already much closer with Philly under an hour away compared to NYC at two and half.Hotel room occupancy and food/beverage numbers are strong here.

I would never believe that a so called financial institution, would pull something so blatantly fraudulent.

Is this simply part of the gamble you take?

If I were going to gamble on a transitioning neighborhood in SF, Oakland, Richmond, or a big tract house in Dublin or Albany I would consider waiting for 2020/2021 which is my guess for the next dip.

My girlfriend's friend's husband has been gone for a couple of months due to his gambling addiction and has left her with the kids and the rent.

This investor might be gambling that you miss the balloon date, he forecloses, he keeps the down payment, and he repeats.  

Please help me flag a ripped off rental listing before someone gets scammed, see fraudulent listing below.