I've been weary of the prices and overvaluations for a couple of years now, with fewer and fewer good deals to come by.

Some will do 6, but they are fewer and further between these days.

By the way, what did you sign on the listing agreementAll that being said, Realtor Code of Ethics (assuming your agent is a Realtor as not all agents are Realtors) requires carrying out the fiduciary responsibility to their clients and putting their interest above their own...Interestingly, the National Association of Realtors puts out statistics how residential properties which are marketed with less than a 2.5% cooperating commission have drastically fewer showings (I vaguely recall 66% less approx, but this later last year when I read it).I know most people won’t believe me when I say I don’t let it affect my business.

The per-unit costs are higher and there are fewer units across which to spread fixed costs.See if you can qualify for a low-down payment conventional loan.

But I was wondering due to the circumstances with fewer people buying houses, if lenders are being more flexible when it comes to pay stubs and job requirements? 

There’s no need to stay in an overpriced home with fewer amenities.

Even if the down payment were to be less than 5% it would still be alot given that the average houses here cost 200,000 (in pretty dangerous neighborhoods)and  for a good neighborhood prices only go up.  

I am new to REI but joined the forum to begin to learn and absorb anything I can about best practices and processes and hopefully learn as much as I can from other peoples mistakes so that I make fewer of them on my own.

Compared to wholesaling or rental, much more dangerous. 

You can do the same with a condo, but the pool of buyers is fewer.