Hi Ryan - At this point in the San Diego market, in my opinion I would not take negative cash flow and "speculate" only on appreciation with that type of timeline.

I don't know what the article is assuming, that was a speculative guess on my part.

If you can do conventional with owner occupied 5-10% might work too.Buy with fundamentals in mind, dont buy for speculation but what can you reasonably increase rents for and cash flow.

I also wouldn't say that its flipping the property, you're more speculating that it'll be worth more in the future than now.

I hedged my bets that the property would hopefully go up since the Arizona market had been so badly beaten up and that the location was so strategically located to a very popular campus ( Arizona State University) and there was speculation that they would be building the Cubs Spring Training facility across the street ( lucky for me they built this 100 million dollar facility)..

So if you're strategy is relying on that appreciation/equity, I'd be cautious because you're speculating on something that's unlikely to happen that fast.As far as buying investment properties over your own home, absolutely people do it.

I’m betting on the speculation that in 5-8 years property values will have doubled.

I’m betting on the speculation that in 5-8 years property values will have doubled.

You want fast, you are closer to speculating than investing and your risk skyrockets."

Speculation can work out but it’s icing on the cake