Karma is a little more complex than just "instant punishment". First of all, there's good and bad karma. Second of all, it's not always instant. In hinduism and buddhism it's also passed from previous lifetimes and I believe there's generational karma as well, from your ancestors. It also doesn't deal equally to the "blame"/"good deed". for example someone did something really horrible, but nothing as bad happens to them, instead they endure small misfortunes one after the other. Same gos for good deeds being rewarded. You could get a huge blessing just from "accumulating" many small good deeds.
Curses are pretty much a self fulfilling prophecy. All it takes is for you to not give a fuck or just pull out an old-fashioned:

Maybe do a protective ritual/spell if you believe in that kind of stuff and you're good to go.
@jacob: Well, I hope you enjoyed catching up
Congrats on the diagnosis!

Were you trying to get it or it just kind of happened randomly?
Still crossing my fingers for your flat getting sold soon!
