Im curious if there is a safe time to pull the trigger on that or if its all a gamble?

Unfortunately most MLS sellers are just looking for the highest offer and there are always investors willing to gamble and retail buyers not looking to make a profit.

Should the house be bought at the foreclosure auction in June I would be THRILLED!

$500 isn't worth the gamble of turning somebody away due to something you can't control (i.e., your neighbor's yard).

If you would reinvest it would be a seperate investment with it's own IRR.Profit is profit, no matter if you save it, gamble it away in Vegas or put in a CD.

Looking for a unicorn is a luck based strategy more akin to gambling than investing.

Relying on appreciation alone to make money is just as good as speculation or gambling in my book.

@Mian Rizwan yes it’s possible to do negative gearing however you need to have the cash to support it for 20 years.It’s also a bit of a speculative gamble as you do not know if the appreciation will be what you want.  

Putting hard money down on Day 1 is foolish, and no better than gambling.

I’m thrilled that there is a community like this.