Sometimes bank statements may indicate gambling problems or other traits you might not like in a tenant.

But please start by immersing yourself in real estate information.

You state one should not invest in the stock market because you consider it gambling and too reliant on others to determine your future.

While you have a bidding war to lose, you also could potentially lose a good bit of upside if the market drops between now and Spring.If gambling and trying to time the market is something you want to try, I recommend you hold off until next winter after the election, hope that there is a major change in which parties are elected, and then take advantage of the influx of new politicians and their staffs to DC (who will be looking for places to live).Of course, I believe that's a bad decision as well.

@Nathan - putting your money with Fedelity is a gamble and you could loose it like many have.

Then you are gambling on getting the other $2k.

I am thinking about taking a gamble on this property and taking it with the liens.

It is very difficult to say which area will appreciate more and its more like gambling to me.

For years I had a few builders that specialized in in-filling, sometimes the adjacent lot owner was a good prospect because it increased the options to that owner, sometimes I was able to use the lot as a down payment on something else or able to have that owner use it to buy something else, so if you can get an option for $10 at a good price it's a cheap gamble.

New casinos seem to popping up across the country and instead of just gambling they are massive entertainment, dining, and retail centers.