Banking on Equity as an investment strategy is just a form of Speculating.  

If you want to speculate and hope for growth or appreciation, then Huntsville will be the choice over the other AL markets. 

Many people are speculating that interest rates are going to go down and/or rents are going to go up. 

This is more speculative, but if you have that belief and are flexible with when you wish to cash out refinance, it may make sense to put the cash up to purchase the property if you don't need the cash now and want to secure a property.

“It’s OK if I don’t make money right away, I’ll make the money back when I sell…” Maybe, but that’s a speculative play, a bet, wishful thinking… and that’s not our play.Mistakes like these and others just like them are prevalent in the tombstone of many real estate investors.

Don't just focus on the after-repair value (ARV) - that's pure speculation until the project is actually completed and sold.🛑 Unrealistic ROIBeware of deals promising excessively high returns without proper collateral or penalties.

You have to run your numbers and be certain of your assumptions.On the second one, unless you are experienced and have a financial situation that allows you to take advantage of the loss - or you are speculating with appreciation, it is hard for me to justify.

For contractors, taking bids is very time consuming and it is speculative work. 

Of course, this is wildly speculative but who doubts that some bureaucrat wouldn't propose something like this.

I speculated with options at one point, and made over $200,000 with an initial investment of $40,000.