Hey @Dan McGrew - That article looked spamming the second I opened it up!  

I do not have the capital to invest in the expensive market that I live in, and am not looking to gamble on California appreciation, so investing long-distance was my only choice.

Very inspiring thread. and to me the theme is the money is made buying low value add sell high.. and or the dreaded APPRECIATION .. who ever coined APPRECIATION is gambling needs to read this thread.. 

Is the gamble of little cash flow worth the potential opportunity in appreciation, tax benefits, loan pay down and potential refinance in later years? 

Another thing you can do when you receive one of these texts is immediately report them as spam to your cellular carrier. 

That's kinda my plan, and is certainly 'gambling'..... 

It's more gambling than anything else.

If you are a cash heavy investor, then it might be alright, but you are gambling on appreciation and that is something that you can not know for sure. 

Gamble you'll need to consider.

The tenant has a scratch-off lottery ticket gambling problem and often comes home with "many"  tickets in his pockets.