The property is in a great part of Goldsboro and I believe it will increase in value a bit due to a new highway being built nearby and the shopping area improving nearby as well (but that's a gamble).

Actually, for me, it was just a fun gamble -- Christina mentioned the tax lien to me at a REIA meeting and 2 minutes later I offered to write her a check for 50%, while Ned was just laughing at me for my lack of due diligence...  :-)We'll be all-in for $6500 or so, and hopefully we can sell it for a profit. 

And that's still a gamble.

Crime rateGang activityHorrible weatherNothing to do unless your hobbies are shopping and gambling.

Betting on appreciation with a risky interest only, adjustable rate mortgage is simply gambling.

But if you're willing to take the gamble, the returns could be huge if the development does happen.  

Smart investors make their money when they buy - waiting for appreciation seems to be a bit like gambling.

RichI put lotteries, gambling and stocks in the same category, so in my mind, since equities were recommended, that would include lotteries and gambling.Like I stated before, I hold stocks and mutual funds, but with all the manipulating that occurs in the market (from the govt on down), I treat it the same as I would gambling.That article describes what main stream America buys into - that's a problem....

It always seems like every poster who says investing for appreciation is gambling is willing to bet on depreciation.

Second, there is massive value in authenticity and transparency, embrace that.