@Harry Gamble I think it's desirable because it's a duplex lot, but the 9 sides parcel that sits back from the road is a very, very odd lot.

Learning notes is more like learning a foreign language where the best way to do it is go and live in the country and immerse yourself in the culture.

When you speculate you are essentially gambling.

Assuming that you are not a general contractor by trade, you can either gamble big money that a house is ok, or you can accept that you will lose an occasional deal to some maniac who doesn't want to do an inspection. 

Turns out one was a computer gambling business and the other was an e-cig business.I don't care why the applicant doesn't want to tell you, but if I don't know the business, I don't consider the application. 

I have been tuning in to different webinars available here on BP about REI in general and taking the first steps, like writing this forum, to fully immerse my self in the RE community. 

Stay away.There are numerous REIA and Meetups in the Baltimore Washington area that are free or almost free where you can immerse yourself in the industry. 

if down the line the condo market in this area picked up".That sounds like a big gamble, right there.

where were you when about 200 plus families in La I had to foreclose on and take their investment property from them.. its a nightmare I am not saying no debt its not realistic until you get to a certain level but having free and clear assets is a choice and no one can take them from you..I am a gambler anyway I gamble on appreciation every day.. and value add..so maybe I am not the best to have this argument with.but when I look at the truly wealthy friends I have and I mean truly wealthy  not 7 figures but 8 figure to 9 figure net worths most of what they have is paid for it not all.. unless they are in big syndicated deals.. houses are paid for second houses... house s at the ski areas the lake front homes.. etc etc.. but I guess I am just more in the limit debt camp for long term liabilities..

Continue to immerse yourself in education, listen to every podcast with supplemental reading.