(If I lived near UNLV I also would likely be a gambling degenerate as well)

I don't think I got mine - unless it went in my spam folder.

I heard it was best to invest for the cashort flow because the equity was like gambling not a sure thing but increase the equity by getting the 203k loan definitely makes sense instead of just flat out trying to buy for equity.

However, for a new investor and landlord, it would seem a leap for me to think I can do better, or at least risk a negative cash flow monthly for this gamble.  

Here are some cities I'm looking at (Also serving as a keyword spam): Troy, Albany, Schenectady, Colonie, Clifton Park, Rensselaer, Cohoes, Watervliet, Wynantskill, NiskayunaI'm primarily looking at Troy right now, with the goal of using an FHA loan to purchase a 3/4 unit.

Most networking events with the big players happen in the daytime here and doing something as simple as delivering materials can offset a day or 2 of contractor work because I'm at the office#3 I love my tech job, but I'm not used to being comfortable for so long, its unnerving#4 I could try to change jobs to something that is more interesting, and could improve my negotiation/facilitation skills, but it would likely still not be my passion as much as real estate and training others...Plus it has more overtime potential (moving from programmer to business systems analyst would be my next career thought)#5 Realistically, I could only probably start out with 2 small deals with these funds and still have breathing room, and it would obviously be a gamble.

It will be a gamble either way, I just don't know which has the best chance for success. 

But one or the other needs to be done or you are gambling not investing.Also, recommend you understand the Iowa code as there may be an open redemption period.

I ended up gambling that we would close and did the majority of the repairs myself.Current rents on the home were $3,000 for the main house and $1,200 for the studio.

First off, not being able to inspect a property in depth is a huge gamble, one I would never consider taking personally.Secondly, those prices they are posting are advertisements, meaning that's what the auction will start off at, it goes up from there, and oh, does it go up quickly on a good looking property.