I am not saying people do not make money in stocks I just see those more of a gamble.

Only hold onto it long enough to break even and then sell.Even holding onto a property until the market recovers is a gamble in profits vs. loss.

For now think of investing dollars instead of exchanging dollars as a gamble -- the first factor.The second factor is that when a nation's currency becomes worth less, the value of the goods and services of that nation start becoming a lot cheaper to a foreign buyer.

To bet on appreciation is more closely akin to gambling than investing in my mind.

The thing about appreciation is that it's not as much of a sure thing as cash flow so it is more of a gamble.

Send them a letter.If it cost you $1/ea letter then it is worth the gamble to see if they are motivated!

Vegas has potential for more appreciation but I just can't get over the feeling that investing in Vegas right now for appreciation is kind of like gambling, the markets swings. 

It's a gamble but it's their gamble and perhaps it is paying off in some cases for them. 

They are discounted and sold for cash so that the money can be used to gamble, buy drugs or alcohol.

Our yards are fairly close together, and these dogs sit on the fence that line our back yards, wait for us to move, and bark uncontrollably.