Did you take a gamble and use someone local?

Appreciation is a gamble because it could go down.

Either way it's a gamble- but my thought is as long as the stock market is giving me decent return through retirement accounts, stocks, ect- why pull that money to pay off a loan with lower interest (assuming that's the case in your local market, and assuming you are getting good returns in the market).

@Bryce Wong  I wouldn't go ahead without a structural engineer's opinion.It's your gamble, your gut is saying somethings not right here, so get it checked out. 

It is all part of the risks and gambles associated with real estate investing.

I've never liked gambling.  

Are you a gambling man or not?

Then they get you to the gambling table...You might get lucky and win once or twice, or even three times, then may lose it all on one or two transactions.

* Giant picture of back Jesus * Tons of arcade games and gambling machines.

I know banking on appreciation is gambling.