A lot of the deals I'm seeing in Los Angels area where the CAPs are low are price for the HNW individual to buy and hunker down and earn something above CD's while they execute on a preservation of capital plan.As real estate investors though we just need to continue to search for and find deals that put money in our pockets at a risk/reward return that is appropriate for the market and our individual circumstances. 

One problem with 'nicer' neighborhoods/properties ESP NYC is that your competing with investors with different motivations bidding up the price.You have investors with money just looking for capital preservation and growth, they might not ever NEED any cash in their entire lifetime so they can buy in solid NYC neighborhoods knowing that in a long term span the price will at some point go up.

(Or if purchasing power is preserved, your real, inflation-adjusted return will be lower than what might be advertised.)

@Ali Boone "equity stripping" is taking as much equity out to avoid lawsuits and preserve capital.

I do property preservation, my partner has a septic pump truck service. we couldn't afford to use our money to attempt this.

The owner is able to preserve their credit score and I got a good deal.

I prefer cash for keys because (here at least) it takes less time than eviction, generally costs less, and preserves the property from spiteful damage during eviction process.Cash for keys is conditioned on me getting an immediate walk through of the property and another one when they hand over the keys before they get any money.

What could be done to preserve it?

I am not certain why small business owners, the job creation engine of the country, should see their taxes raised in order to protect bond holders of automobile companies or banks, or for union jobs to be preserved in companies that are clearly not competitive.

Consider longer terms and low down payment – this move will make you keep a higher cash flow, preserve your capital to have better utilization, and allow you to redeploy your “capital savings†to other business activities that will generate profit.6.Consider more square footage – buying increased square footage in a property than what you currently need may be an advantage rather than a liability.