Looking forward to equity is one thing, but anticipating appreciation is tantamount to gambling.

I've chosen to go with nicer neighborhoods as local investors and property management companies have pushed me in that direction.

i just don't see how that's a good use of your entire RE budget, and/or liquidating other investments to not get a return.i am encouraged that you said that you plan to fly to the chosen market in person, but one or two trips just isn't going to get you very much. 

Up and coming can be a gamble and could mean different things.

After about 8 months of studying and researching and familiarizing ourselves with real estate investment, my start up investment team has chosen to make our first investment in Tulsa, OK.  

Those mortgages are packaged up and gambled against on Wall Street, where our mutual funds from our retirement accounts are making their money. 

That said, I do have a simple scope of work, materials list, chosen finishes and a timeline. 

It'll either confirm you've chosen the right niche or it'll let you know early on you need to look at something else.

I like the huge tax advantages and passive income, BUT, even though you are drilling in areas where oil has been found it still seems like a huge gamble to come up with nothing.

That I could quantify the value of paying a little more early in the gentrification stages, that property went up in value over 100K the first 18 months of possession.What's going on in this area of Indy I can't seem to quantify it other than some people are buying $40k - $80K properties, tearing them down and building new, some are doing gut rehabs with a change in floor plans, and some are buying the $60k-$90k property putting $30k into it and renting it out in hopes of the spike.When I see the land for these lots are valued at $4,000 - $6,000 depending on lot size, that's a big gamble to teardown and scale that $40k - $80k property purchase to the $250k - $300k properties that are being sold on some of these deals.