So this is a calculated gamble, if you think the market is going to continue to grow over the next 3 years, then even if you cashflow 0, the appreciation would be tremendous. 

I would encourage you to ignore complaints about transfer duration because that is uncontrollable by the company. 

A casino doesn't gamble, the individual player is gambling but the House isn't gambling. 

Even if you get some recommendations, you will need to gamble so much capital on a speculative investment.

If so (and that's a gamble, of course), how many years would it take for you to recover the lost equity and additional expenditure? 

Which is always a gamble and risk.

Subject to" is a gamble for both you and your Seller, but mostly for your Seller. 

Sorry i meant MLS, GA uses FMLS as one of the multiple listing services.. but anyways wholesale sounds like gambling... !!

The thought is I could keep the same good tenant instead of gambling on an unknown tenant, the tenant gets continuity to their business instead of finding a new place for likely similar rent, and I get to increase my NOI for sale or refinance purposes.

Personally I lived in Seattle now Hawaii and I saw the light... need cashflow to eat (although i do admit that appreciation will make you rich)It could appreciate but I consider that gambling.