Owning a property for a year is a tough gamble, since you pay a lot in selling commissions, etc so breaking even is tough. 

Here is my response to that question:I don't go to casinos to gamble.

Now, if you want to gamble a bit 'cause it's really a nice place, I'll buy the place subject to at a higher price, if ole Boyd gets to closing on time as agreed under the option, well, I lose the premium I paid and I'll need to sell it to him at that price....but, if he fails to the second (be'n the good ole boy he is) then I just keep the place and he'll need that stool.Fausto, not so close to Wayne, he'll get splattered, little more back towards you....that's good, right there, KA DING thanks.Speak'n of ole Wayne, he's on to someth'n there, a good Option Contract IS a purchase contract, in fact, you can go by a purchase contract and just take out all that default malarkey that nails the buyer if'n they don't buy the place.

Naperville is a good place to buy and hold for appreciation but personally I think of that strategy as gambling.

I'm currently living in England (UK) and will be moving to Southern California next Summer.

The point is, it's a gamble.

I had a great conversation with an experienced borrower from the UK yesterday, a very colorful character from London.

Somewhat of a gamble...2.

A little background: I'm 35, have never owned a home and have moved around quite a bit for work - DC, UK, and now St.

But buying at retail value simply based on the hope that values will continue to rise is like gambling.