Do you WANT to gamble?...

That's the price to induce you to go in the first place, at which time you'll be sold dreams of bikini clad women, Italian sports cars and yachts, and a date with one, (or maybe all), of the Kardashian's.Then they lower the boom and will attempt to upsell you to their "real deal".  

Anything potentially noisy or otherwise annoying nearby - airport, train tracks, Interstate, big factory, sports stadium, race track, etc?

I guess if you could gather some info from somewhere so you KNEW that the first was being worked out then it would be well worth your while but otherwise, it seems like a huge gamble.

IMHO, picking stocks is gambling.

In most (the vast majority of) other markets appreciation is considered a gamble, not necessarily so in the bay area.  

Get a complete online professional appearing prescience up and running.Real estate is a contact sport.

I just relocated to the Philly area from MId-Hudson Valley in New York and I'm really energized over new construction in the city, fine dining, cultural attractions, sports, charm, beauty (love Fairmont Park) -- it's so encouraging so see. 

Stocks are basically legalized gambling.

When investors begin to speculate and purchase on future value, that is not investing, that is taking on risk and gambling.