I use it as merely a representation of investor sentiment.  

Statistically, the city has low rates of crime for a city of that size within the 'rust belt', average income and unemployment figures, relatively low rental vacancies, and, most importantly, SFRs at less than 30k which, based on my understanding of the area, do not follow the popular negative sentiment on homes at this price point.  

However, it's a family property so there's more sentimental value attached to the house.  

O’Neill, Robert Kiyosaki, Robert Ringer and Donald Trump have all recently expressed bearish sentiment regarding the U.S.

It's my first flip and I'm a hopeless romantic... hopefully you can sift through my sentimentality and give your two cents!

Again, I understand the sentiment.

I'd echo @Joel Owens sentiments.

One thing to note that hedge funds / insto capital still account for a small % of the entire market so academically their buying shouldn't effect the prices beyond a sentiment point of view.

I agree with this sentiment in many cases.

I don't want to take that road (I suspect the head honcho at the construction company doesn't entirely agree w/ my sentiments).