REI is like playing poker (not because it's gambling).  

The message I took from this was, only gamble what you can afford to lose and only do it if that loss doesn't change your lifestyle or standard of living.

Hopefully, the gamble will pay off.Where and what you buy will make a huge difference in terms of what you need to do to get an STR permit, how long you'll wait for other permits if you are building or remodeling, what the STR rules and restrictions are (none of the jurisdictions are onerous, but there are differences between 29, YV, and the county), and so forth. 

These markets also have a great employment rate with large companies such as Procter and Gamble and The Kroger Company - together employing over 33,000 people.

So it can also be considered a gamble to some investors.

Unless one is in water sports and activities

For Facebook ads listen to some GaryVee on very targeted, 40 different personalized thoughtful ads targeted to: town, neighborhood, sports teams, school parent groups, local fire department, Scouts, etc.

Isn't there something akin to a player's union in professional sports in the investment world?

Maybe twenty slips,as a minimum, and even then there would need to be other profit centers, bait shop, clothing, sporting goods, laundry, etc.....

A lot of people like gambling too, but that doesn't  make it a good investment.