Gamble you'll need to consider.

The home prices are astronomically high and while they could go higher, I think that buying one would be a huge gamble.

That's kinda my plan, and is certainly 'gambling'..... 

(basically being Certified), the selected contractor is basically 'winging it,' and you're probably taking a gamble. 

If you are a cash heavy investor, then it might be alright, but you are gambling on appreciation and that is something that you can not know for sure. 

With all the competition from DC, MD, PA, NY, DE they are doomed until they find a new business model not involving gambling. 

Why gamble with your money?

I'm impressed that you're not willing to gamble on getting into  a bad situation due to low reserves.

.- As for crypto, it's just a speculatory investment for those who like to gamble. 

You are doing a gamble play that value add and rent increases will eventually get the asset cash flowing.If it doesn't you just are trapped in a tax write off property.Some investors love speculating but I am not one of them.