It's not rocket science, but you also don't want to gamble with your liabilities either. 

For example I just sold a house, made 240K in two years give or take after expenses, and can now roll that profit into index funds, turn key properties, etc.Yes, appreciation is a bit more risky, but I wouldn't call it gambling if you know the economic fundamentals. 

Thanks everyone, I'm very new to US real estate investing and there are some differences between here and the UK so thanks for providing clarity!

You should not gamble with your families health.

This is my first post here but not my first experience with real estate.In the UK I facilitated similar deals to what in the US is called syndication.

I would say that buying in a market like this is a huge gamble, but you can't deny that along with skyrocketing purchase prices, rents have also gone through the roof.

I currently live in the UK with one property of my own.

They seem to have no problem gambling, but putting money on their own investing ability seems to give them all kinds of self doubts.  

You should know better.Let me again show you exactly what DMM is and how it traps you into bankruptcy especially for beginners.Orange line is your potential profits,  and the blue line is the potential Cost/deal.Unless you are sending 10,000 mailers, you are gambling and you know what they say about gambling.

Very inspiring thread. and to me the theme is the money is made buying low value add sell high.. and or the dreaded APPRECIATION .. who ever coined APPRECIATION is gambling needs to read this thread..