Notice I didn't say cities they invest in, because I don't think what they do is an investment, it's more of an act of bleeding every ounce of value out of a property that will be left with little to no value.

And you may bleed if your not wearing gloves "It seems them lil ol cute things will try to eat you!"

The comparison isn't between losing $20,000 at once, or a slow bleed of $2500/year.  

Practically speaking, here is how that goes:  cash buyers will kick your a$$ on most deals, so be prepared, properties cash-flow better with 25% down, either spend it upfront in repairs/upgrades (good ones, not crap) or be prepared to bleed it out on maintenance, and (this one is important) if your property maintenance schedule/budget (you don't have one?  

We're seeing major major tech players move in and take up shop in the bleeding edges of urban chic all over the area, turning the city into a major new tech hub.

My rental was bleeding money also so I’m just happy to get out and lesson learned.

Quote from @K S.: Well downtown Austin TX condos went from 100k to 400k peak last year over the same time period. so even within TX, there are home runs, but I agree, it comes down to luck and hindsight.

They will bleed you dry if you let them.

A good property manager is golden, a bad one will bleed you dry each month.During my PCS moves or deployments i used to use "good ole boy network" for property management.

Poppycock.The injunction — which mortgage experts said appeared to be the nation's first court-ordered stop for an entire state — prevents judges in South Carolina from finalizing foreclosure sales on properties guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or any other mortgage company that has signed on to a federal assistance program.It's an attempt, originated by Fannie Mae, to slow or forestall their bleeding and consuming even more taxpayer money.