@Harry Gamble Thanks Harry

Appreciation is a gamble and it's on paper till you sell the property.

If you've got a good crystal ball and don't bet wrong, you can make a lot of money on appreciation.Appreciation is not gambling over long-term and no crystal ball is needed, only the ability to study history.

between my wife and myself, we lost a pretty decent chunk in the market last year. it's unfortunate, but investing in the market is just like our twice a year trip to vegas....a gamble!

If you are someone sitting on 1 million and you are throwing 5% of your worth at it and you lose it's not usually all that bad.If 50,000 is all you have and you gamble to cash in big or be broke if it goes bad I think that Is not a smart decision.I know investors that buy this type of stuff but it just will never, ever be for me.

As "illegal and fraudulent" as you may be...

See this Bigger Pockets topic and the District Court case brief on what other players in the legal system think about "friendly liens" (they call them "fraudulent liens" in the case).

Finding Buyers is something that is not supplied in any course I have previewed.. ( many of the best out there. ) Lee Arnold System is the most realistic as you can also partner and get financed with his enterprise.. but if you do not get the education I recommend your in danger of big failures.. do you want to gamble or make money ?

I haven't found that out yet.As far as alternatives go:Bitcoin - Feels more like gambling or playing the lottery than any actual investing, over the long haulGold/Oil/Gas - I'm not all that familiar with the various commodities. 

You are just gambling at that point.