If you invest the $25,000 in real estate, well even if you totally mess it up and buy a really bad deal, you'll still learn a lot, and what if you loose $5000-$10,000-$12,500....you still have 1/2 your money left or more.   

We loose almost all of the site line if my neighbor decides to put up a sign, plant shrubs, let their tree overgrow, etc. and this is in the riskier direction from our stand point.Our argument was that we have 400' in the direction that has a flat straight away (theoretically faster traveling traffic) and have 3xx' in a direction that the traffic is traveling up hill with a shorter stopping distance and time, most traffic will be coming off of an Interstate off ramp which in theory they would be well under the speed limit when as they approach our property.To answer your question: I am undecided if I will do more development projects.

Several things to contribute here: 1) Private Lenders with no credit experience emerge doing down payment and 100%/High LTV financing at the end of every cycle, 2) they're among the first to loose their shirts in every downturn, 3) although someone termed this type of lending "gator", it's not new, 4) the guy that coined it didn't get into real estate untill well after the last crash, 5) he has no real credit background or experience (he's never been a lender), 6) Google the guy's name and "looses professional license in AZ" to see what pops up, and finally 7) he's really effective at telling people what they want to hear, filling their heads full of hopes and dreams, getting them to buy his training, and his minios generally won't want to hear what a real, seasoned lending vet will try to tell them.

Think markets likeCleveland, OhioCincinnati, OhioDayton, OhioToledo, OhioYoungstown, OhioCincinnati, OhioMemphis, TennesseeSaint Louis, MissouriIndianapolis, IndianaDetroit, MichiganErie, PennsylvaniaLouisville, KentuckyMilwaukee, WisconsinJackson, MississippiYou can win or loose in any of these markets.

Especially in this market where everyone is paying a sky hi premium for run down properties, but again you can also loose your shirt.

Just trying to figure a loose budget for these sorts of things. 

You may loose some of the protection from Airbnb, but in most of the stories I see Airbnb typically takes the guests side and holds host financially liable with no recourse in many disputes.

So if they need to do it and if they don't they loose money, it should count.

Thanks Stuart.I don't think a "thesis" is necessary for real estate investing.Your mixing "thesis" with speculation and prediction IMO$1m in cash is retirement for someone that knows what they are doing in "low barrier" markets like you mention.Same can't be said for higher entry markets.Those that don't know real estate will loose no matter where or how they invest.Personally, I don't care about appreciation as I don't get out of bed unless I can net cashflow 20% net on a deal.For example, just bought a 6 unit in a B class area for $160,000.Currently occupied and renting for $3,000pm.Once minor rehab of $50,000 is completed, rents will be $4,500.I have an offer to sell as is for $250,000.ARV is $350,000.When interest rates go down, value will increase even further due to commercial lending being easier.No need for appreciation on such deals.I'll take them all day long over any appreciation potential.Again, just my opinion and each to their own.

Just a general rule in negotiations: "He who go(talk) first, looses" :)