California is not the market for cash flow, it is the market for appreciation which is speculation (gambling).

I was thrilled to find this forum.  

Investments are nothing more then legal gambling how much are you willing to risk before you get out of that investment how much are you trying to gain.

It speaks to some of the central questions about being an investor: How much is enough, What risks am I willing to take and What are my motivations $ or the thrill of the chase.I think I would have to take the safe money. 

If you're going to buy foreclosures at an auction there's going to be some aspect of gambling involved.

He isn't thrilled that I have an agent.

You are gambling in an arena with a hefty anti.

I do know that with this being my first rehab,it’s a gamble.

Its a gamble but most things in homes are. 

Either  1) You have the money to be cashflow negative (including mortgage) for a hold and flip with appreciation (gamble) 2) If you had the skills, you could find fixer-uppers and flip or improve equity and hold (safer) 3) Or you could be new developments that are ready in 1-2 years and flip them which I have done quite successfully.