Later the properties were producing income.Having lived and worked in the area I will speculate that these were likely rented to higher quality students (graduates and others) as there is a big demand in the area.

However, if he thinks you should be moving from less speculative investments and into more conservative/cash flowing investments ask him what he would think about owning rentals (that provide a nice yield) and don't let him sell you on it's to much work.

I can only speculate, but in general Seller notes behind an institutional loan is frowned upon in many cases.

In California from what I am hearing flips are getting harder to do as buy and hold investors are speculating and gobbling up properties.At some point if everything you are bidding on is bid up past what you can pay you need to change your strategy (search for off market deals), change your area, or change how you are going to buy a property and sell it.

The end buyer would likely be a speculator, so I knew I had to get the property under contract at a number that would immediately be attractive to a speculative investor.

Long story short I speculated on a house in Phoenix that ended up underwater and I had to short sell. 

This is purely a speculation move.

appreciation "investing" is closer to speculating on market swings. 

We're all speculating.

I predict great things but I am new to the area so that is speculation.