I know appreciation can be a gamble, as compared to cash flow.

Lastly and for me what was very beneficial is just to immerse yourself on the website and read read read!!

From an equity build approach, seems taking on the 18 by itself is almost more of a gamble, no?

Betting on appreciation is like gambling in my opinion.  

Fully immersing yourself by additionally reading books will increase the learning process.  

I'm trying to immerse myself in this as much as I can. 

After realizing the market is essentially gambling, I started looking to real estate as I love the idea of having my money in something physical and real. 

If you have a 12 unit that is generating positive cash flow, and your bank is telling you they prefer to gamble on a flip... that's silly.

Provo is a great place and will not likely drop much even in a downturn (I have 2 buy and hold rentals there now) Trying to cash flow any new purchases in Provo is extremely difficult unless you buy condemned property and rehab it all your self (and don't mind still paying $150/sq ft for that) There are to many wanting to pay too much and gamble on appreciation.

I've been listening to the podcasts and reading countless articles from the site, so I am very excited to begin this journey and immersing myself in the BP community.