I've done some Prosper lending, and basically broke even over two years of making loans (I don't do it anymore).It seems that many A-credit borrowers suddenly decide to stop paying when it's a Prosper loan, and the recourse that the site takes isn't very useful (though I don't remember exactly what they do).All in all, I wasn't thrilled with the experience, but that may have been due to my poor investment decisions...

With today's LOW interest rate, gambling with ARMs seems nuts to me.Do your numbers make sense at all (i.e. 2% rule) ?

Additionally, if you are late on just one card, the rest of the credit card issuers could raise your rates under something called "universal default" (late on one is late on all).Too big a gamble, in my opinion, especially if the property you purchase does not generate income right away.

My kids are not thrilled with me as they say I have"real estate on the brain".

Those homes had only new kitchen and paint.I will try to put this home for sale for $119k which is a gamble..I thought about rent it for $900 but did not like the people that showed up because they looked like ghetto.

You're overseas, they could use the cash, and based on their track record, your risk is lower than gambling on gold ect...

If you buy properties based on that evaluation, you will fail as a landlord.Like gambling in a casino, this is a "long term" number.

All loans are a gamble for the borrower as much as the lender.

At this point, it's still speculation the city will appreciate and is a huge gamble.

Don't gamble.