Spoil sport :P

Real estate is gambling.

You hear economic drivers like new sports complex in Rantoul, casino coming to Danville, etc.

I haven't purchased this way before, and unless you can gamble a bit of cash without having a contract, I wouldn't suggest it.

They may want to gamble on someone else not knowing the 20 year old HVAC, but as you mentioned, it's going to come up during the inspection.  

Fortunately, the calculated gamble had paid off.

What am I saying, OF COURSE you DON'T know, sport's fan's across BP busted out in laughter when you wrote that, and here now, they know EXACTLY what I am about to point out. 

I don't see huge upsides as there is only a few years left in the up swing and after transaction costs, it's not that fruitful to buy now and hold for another 5 years or so.Also, I'm in earthquake country and insurance is a gamble at best as they may deny a claim.

Being a middleman- Realtor, contractor, ect -and get paid off the "investors" gambling. 

I am really into sports, mostly soccer but I like the NBA to.