I am curious what the retainment rate is for new investors as many who get involved in notes realize it’s a lot of work and it is not passive.My hope is many jump to something else like crypto currency and gamble on Blockchain.

Potential for upside as neighborhoods get renovated out from downtown, but feels like a gamble.

I can't tell you how many times I hear people looking to buy a 2nd condo, lose at least a couple hundred a month (without even accounting for any vacancies or repairs) and they believe its a great investment by gambling on appreciation.  

We visited around 30 properties and none of them cashflow (but they were all ni nicer neighborhoods so we were fine 'gambling' with appreciation) We bought a duplex, rented one unit (it covered 60% PITI) and lived in the other half.

Right now you would be gambling.  

It is kind of a gamble. 

Gambling on appreciation may see a very serious negative outcome if predictions are correct for the economic shift.

Based on my research, Charlotte seemed the best bet in terms of house price to rent ratio, the age of the house ( i didn't want to invest in older houses in fear of more repair costs and such), and finally potential appreciation (though after listening to bigger pockets, I see that investors mostly care about the cash flow and buying just for appreciation can be a gamble).

If you do that, you're just gambling, it's not investing. 

The HOA is citing me (tenants or occupants at the rental) for two violations, 1) Gambling and 2) More than allowable tenants living at my property.