There's P2P lending sites, LendingClub and Prosper, which may be a bit riskier if not diversified properly.Stock market is a gamble, so the ETF route may work out, but I personally wouldn't bank on it.Safest bet would be a high yield savings account or CD, but at today's rates, the returns are pretty awful.Best of luck!

Investors who have a longer time horizon, a higher appetite for risk and are ready to take a gamble.

We had a tenant who was running an illegal sports gambling ring, who got busted by the feds.

Anyone buying in this saturated market is doing just that, gambling. 

I'm okay gambling that the FED will reduce rates in the next 2-3 years and then get cashflow post-refi, but want to at least break even until then. 

I am just not a gambling kind of guy and I like to see success connected to how much work I put into something (physically and even better, mentally)Are we just taught that investing in stocks/401K/Roth Ira and similar investments are the way to go and should be part of everyone's portfolio, but maybe for true real estate investors its not needed ?

Procter and Gamble used the same personality test, I think.

The bad news is that finding something STR eligible is not automatic and in many cases you'd have to apply for a permit after you bought, adding a layer of risk, however, you can call ahead of time and understand if permits are available and the property qualifies, so it's not a big gamble.   

It is a bit of a gamble either way, but we definitely still use PropertyRadar because those lists that hit really well get us good deals.

Is that gamble worth it or did I do the right thing and playing it safe and getting a home warranty?