Houses ends up selling higher then bidding price due to novice bidders and get relisted or offered to other bidders purely at the discretion of seller.

You will quickly run out of money if you purely buy & hold. 

I totally understand the "drinking from a fire hose" feeling, I've been there!

Hard money is more geared toward people who are fixing/flipping or fixing/refinancing into a purely rental property.

Are you talking about purely investment? 

This is real estate in its pure ACTION.

Even though we always tell tenants, you would think it would be obvious that they were no longer operational ... but apparently not.We have it written into our lease that the fireplaces are purely ornamental and should the tenant attempt to use the fireplace, it will be cause for eviction and they will be liable for any and all damages.  

Plus I was able to buy at such a bargain that the numbers were favorable.If your goal is purely income-generation, or you're located in a convention city or a place where people vacation year-round, the numbers quite often favor residential rental.  

Don't worry, I won't drink just anyone's kool aid!!

and I'm always just a little unnerved by that.It knows how long I was there and probably also knows who I was meeting with, what they were drinking and what color underwear I was wearing.