I have never understood the expensive sport car thing. 

This is a team sport but having the right team to speed up the timeline is definitely something I am looking for but not planning on.

Real Estate is a team sport.

Yes it was difficult getting through the process, and we trusted our real estate agent to send current photos of the property, but we were still gambling.

Who knows but unless you have a solid exit strategy, it's still a huge gamble where you wont' know whether it was worth it or not until its over.

How crazy will I be if I liquidated my $3k and maxed out $30k on credit card,and played this high risk gamble with my credit?

If you go to Harrah's in a state that only has that one gambling place then they set the payout machine rates in the low 80's.

You have to know the neighborhoods, what's going to sell, where to add value, how to get the deal priced correctly, and how to exit the deal (financing relationships at banks, etc).So it's not us saying you can't find a good deal to flip for appreciation - but its a contact sport out there right now and for someone with little time you are at risk of losing capital, not gaining.As far as choosing a rental that "you" would live in - think of picking a property that your niece, nephew, son, or daughter would want to live in.

Not saying you shouldn’t own for hunting or sporting purposes but certainly not for self defense.

Brandon Proctor RE is a cash intensive sport.