This is primarily due to high interest rates and a very wide bid-ask spread between what sellers want for their property (the ask) and what buyers can conceivably pay (the bid) while being able to meet their return requirements for their lenders and investors.

Might be just a pre-conceived notion in my thoughts that was wrong.

When baby #2 was conceived, I knew it was time to get out of our 2 bedroom duplex that we rented.

Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve."

Better infrastructure, cheaper real estate, and the janitors could conceivably live in West Virginia and still commute... ;-)   I'm just jealous because I think Amazon will clog up the hotels and the metro and I won't be able to find any Lime Bikes and Scooters to ride around Crystal City and Pentagon City.

@Lucas Carl - Yes, you are absolutely right that what we did is skirting a zoning law that never could have anticipated this type of use at the time it was conceived in the 80's. 

The supply and return plenums will likely need to be re-worked however if you can use the supply branches to the actual spaces, you could conceivably save a ton of money there. 

If you're doing it all cash, you could conceivable do it within 15 days if there aren't any issues.If you don't have an accepted offer in writing, like with an offer binder or a sales contract, your offer isn't valid.

I would make sure the escrow is large enough to cover any conceivable repair bill otherwise if the escrow is short your seller will go dark.

Project was conceived, planed, and built though free forum.