Deal making is about being liquid in the way you move with your conversations, you have to sync with the seller's mood and style of deal making, most people are horrible at it, and some people's form of deal making is purely defensive at all times.

Pure and simple.

However for the pure ‘saturation’ point of how many flippers etc are there, I don’t invest there.

I've done hundreds of inspections and I get joy watching landlords faces when they fiquer out who simple the process even when occupied.

On the other hand, pure rentals are more likely to get foreclosed on. 

Is this purely based on personal preference and goals?

I generally shoot for a cap rate in my town in the low 20s but I also know that I am investing purely for cash flow.

Pure speculation there, obviously this was an opportunity to expand on your text book experiences, I don't really agree with all you mentioned, but I have no idea why you mentioned me for this speculation.

Investing purely for appreciation is a bit silly, certainly in today's real estate market you can invest for cash flow.

It was purely beginners luck. ;)