They know that the stock market is considered to be a "gamble" and a rise/fall does not affect their overseas real estate decision making. 

@Manolo D. is right that you are taking a big gamble.  

But I can take over your payments and pay them religiously for 2 to 3 yearsOption two we turn this into an investment property find a buyer that just missed financing and have them rent for a while, work on their credit, pay down some debt, and then when they buy it, they pay full price, you have a sale  without a real estate agents commission, without closing costsIt takes 2 to 3 years to get that done and you do have to have an insurance policy and pay taxes but you got some great tax write off's from the IRSSo Mr. seller which one of those you like the best, listing it with an agent and paying the costs to sell, maybe paying 5 to 10 grand out of your pocket to get rid of the housedealing with a property manager and gambling with landlord-tenant law, me taking over your payments, or turning it into an investment property and selling it down the road for full price, no commissions, and no closing costs?

@Gamble LiAround here (Fredericton), the inventory on 6-10 unit buildings is pretty tight  - though there are a couple for sale at the moment in a part of the City that is a little less desirable.  

I would definitely give it a try, it will be an educated gamble. 

Any ideas, or is it just a gamble?

Well, it's always a gamble.

Restrictions may be implemented in an effort to restrict fraudulent transactions but, so long as the end consumers allow personal emotions into both the buying and selling of homes, there will always be inefficiencies in the market place and room for profit.Large banks may wish to limit competition and generally want larger returns but its impossible to control or manipulate the entire marketKeep building and closing dealsGarrett

Richmond is interesting because there are some up and coming neighborhoods but you are taking a little bit of a gamble if you bet on those.

Now, we all know that the gamble is that they "always will" renew & many have been caught with their 5 years ending in a bad lending year putting you at risk of the balloon payment coming due with the bank taking a pass on renewing.