I realize it's unpopular to factor in appreciation and even written off by many as pure speculation, but in my experience it's the biggest wealth builder of all.

I think we should reward labor with lower taxes and penalize speculation with higher taxes.

Even though it's all speculation, someone well be right, and then he or she will be really smart. 

This is just my speculation, as I have no government loans, and my tenants are current in rents.What are your local squatter laws?

Then all bets are off.If you build or buy an STR now you are simply speculating going into a down turn (fact) at peak prices (fact) into a market space that is being devastated (fact) - travel and leisure business' are nonoperational in most of the country and the world and if not in your area now it will be tomorrow or the day after or next week.

This is why we require an in-person meeting (which everyone complains about) and unfriendly disclosures that state the high-risk nature of real estate investing not once but twice before we ever send out a property:“Real estate investment is speculative in nature and risk of loss can be substantial.

If you are at all able, try to help those around you.Yes, I am concerned about what will happen in the economy, and I would only be speculating to offer any opinion.

Anybody who buys individual stocks without knowing their value is speculating or gambling.

Schiff, Dent, Dalio, Buffet, Rogers etc all speculate.  

Business Ownership (starting a new business), stock market speculation and real estate speculation.