So before you'd go looking in the paper for the sports section.

I won't gamble money that my family needs for the necessities, but the money I'm using should go to paying off bills and filling an IRA.

Its hard to gamble with downtown right now when there is some very strong potential just in the normal market.And when you state that the current projects are doing fairly, if not very, well, I think that is very relative also.

buying re, and basing all your profit (and success) on the possibility of it appreciating sounds more like gambling then investing.

Then, they are going to agree on an option price that's above market *and* doesn't mind putting down a 5K non-refundable deposit to take the gamble that he's going to be able to fix any problems that wouldn't allow him to buy that house outright in the first place.

If you are gambling on the property appreciating then you are just gambling.

but guaranteed appreciation isn't likely, so you're really kind of gambling...

Now, if there is some concerted efforts by foreigners to buy up Detroit, that is interesting, but a huge gamble IMO.

It's important to get a good team behind you as it's not a solo sport.

I might disagree with Cleveland's placement, and heres why;Cleveland is going to be one of the largest Big Data centersTon of tech jobs hereBillions of dollars for new projectsMedical MartCasinos and more high net worth hotels etc being createdRevitalization of small neighborhoods like Tremont and Ohio City.The only thing risky here is the sports teams ;-)