WNYC is doing an 8 pt series on gentrification

Episode 4 has a big segment on Flatbush and PLG. They interview they guy who owned one of the Linden houses slated to be a glassy condo. Very interesting. 

fascinating! I'm so mad at that guy

C'mon, $1m profit in 4 years? Who would turn that down? It's not as if it was the house he grew up or something. 

Everyone likes to hate the people who buy multi-tenant properties and then flip them, because they play a role in displacing the current tenants.

If such guilt bothers you yet you still want to make money from real estate, the trick may be to buy vacant lots or commercial properties that can become commercial. 

The owner of the nearly vacant lot at 995 President is poised to make around $2 million in less than 3 years.

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/46865/lot-at-995-president-between-franklin-and-washington-sold-for-800k-in-2013-now-seeks-2-9m#latest

Flippers are one thing, but this guy was just an individual who happened to buy a house on a large lot a few years ago. He wasn't looking to make money. 

Assuming you are correct, Does intention matter?