But you are in a pinch, so here you go:* Can you call on a family member or friend to be on the loan with you or do a "gift".

For example, if we agree on a purchase price of $1M and a commission of 2.5% for buyer agent (me), could I:1) Reduce purchase price from $1M to ~ $975,000 (less difference from making seller agent whole)2) Agree to make seller agent whole (receive $25k gross commission)I know this is penny pinching but I'd prefer this over a standard deal so that I could lower my property tax rate and also not incur income tax on the commission.I feel that this wouldn't work as I would most likely have receive some amount of income for my services. 

Once you've built up a reasonably strong relationship with your title company, they do tend to help you hit hard deadlines in a pinch, bumping you to the font of the line because of the volume of business you're running through them.But even with that, 3 day close is pretty rough.

In a pinch, it's sometimes easier (and cheaper) to replace the whole unit with a used appliance rather than pay for a service call and repair.

Don't penny pinch on these things if the service provided is good.  

I am not willing to pinch pennies at the expense of extraordinary service and piece of mind.MJ S.

Pinching the pennies is for us investors :)  Good luck with your search,-ChristopherP.S.

Rehabs are not unforeseen really, larger rehabs do need a cushion if you're tearing out walls, replacing cabinets and tops as little things happen.While I may sound conservative, I'd have to say I'm not really, with more knowledge comes the ability to accept more risk, if you really get in a pinch, you should have an exit strategy, like selling it!

I agree with @Anson Young , that wholesalers and flippers are feeling the pinch now.

I also take PM "predictions" with a pinch of salt as they have skin in the game, and would rather encourage you to become their customers than not...