I have aimed to take achievable and actionable steps towards my goal of buying my first property with intention to rent or flip by connecting with local investors, evaluating deals, and of course listening to the BP Podcast/reading books. 

Having a real estate development company/ real estate holding company is the end goal but I just wanted input from all the pros out there on what would be best!!!

@Grant Dennis @Russell Brazil nailed it.In any negotiation, real estate related or not, it's critical to understand the interests and goals of each party.The seller's agent is required by law and by ethics to get the best possible deal for the seller. 

My goal is make profit without having lenders chipping into my money.

 I've always had the goal set to become an investor and own many businesses and properties.

You'll be getting to your rental goals much faster, and with more money to work with.Keep doing this, until you are able to get those loans,  Then, keep flipping, but take the profits (ONLY) and use them as down payments on your rentals. 

Either are great, it really just depends on your long-term goals.  

I highly recommend if you do go for it, you get into a group of other people who are pursuing similar goals at the same time you are. 

Seems like you just need to ask yourself what your goals are.  

My momentum was really beginning to build, so I set a seemingly ludicrous goal of 100 units and 10 completed flips by the end of 2018.