but I don't really want to risk going through a tough escrow with a novice buyer trying to shave me down with contingencies and unreasonable demands related to inspections... especially in a softening buyer's market. 

We expect to see some softening in terms of pricing and sales over the next six to 12 months, but fundamentals remain strong in the long term,” Carr adds.Looking ahead, Carr doesn't foresee a time where San Diego will be overbuilt and notes that the main risk factor for the market will be affordability.3.

With the market softening you might have more luck.Of course, you could try cold calling owners yourself, or find a wholesaler who will sell you such a property.

If you have a bread and butter SFR in Charleston and it is purchased right you could potentially flip it for a good return as the inventory is still pretty low even though the market has softened slightly. 

When the market softened we had to dump and get out.

The only entity that claimed we had to pull a permit was the mud (municipal water district)and they wanted sprinklr systems, water softeners and pools permitted.  

The challenge will be: will rental rates continue with their vigorous upward trend or will they soften.

It is more of what is the 'norm' and what makes you look serious vs how much you want to throw away if you walk away.It's also done twice here..first at offer then at p&s. Often

I remove whole house humidifiers and water softeners.

The bay area markets are softening.