David Gritz Maybe some bad timing on the question with live news coverage but I'll throw out one idea.

It is in fact a liability that will cost you far more than it will likely ever be worth over the life time of ownership (except in some select markets).Life style choices are not something others can advise you on.

I used to have over 100k in retirement but after some bad decisions on that as well I am basically starting over there. 

A huge number of agents are part time and treat the job as just thatTo confirm this all you need to do is to take a look at how bad some of the listings are one or two pictures are no pictures at all mistaking the square footage of the house Mistating the square footage or acres of the property on and on and on it really is horrible for the rest of the agents who take this as a career in a profession and try their hardest every day

Probably something to do with if things went really bad a borrower would likely walk away from their investment property over their primary home.  

Are these a bad idea?

Hopefully as I continue my journey I can give back with my experiences both good and bad.

Working in the tech industry, I was able to save enough money (initially planned to buy a home for myself, but after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad the goal obviously changed) for my first investment.After analyzing the potential markets to invest (Ireland, UK, and Portugal), I came to the conclusion that Portugal was the best choice.

When I do a google search of auction dot come I see so many bad reviews for hidden fees, delayed closing and some refusal to sell even though they met the minimum price. 

The person who has great cash-on-cash return almost certainly has bad (or suboptimal) return-on-equity.