In my world, that means distressed and foreclosed properties with a reduction in property prices.The only thing I have to go on is experience, (been through a few down cycles) and a massive $34 trillion dollar federal debt.

Or if you don't want to do that work and the seller doesn't want to lose you as a buyer negotiate a reduction for the time lost.

If you use a big company, who communicates with other financial institutions, you can ensure that the seller will have a 75% reduction in their debt-to-income ratio.

Did you ask why they want or deserve the reduction?

I think we're going to see some pretty significant price reductions (unique to each area). 

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you may be timid at price reductions given your bigger financial circumstance.

It may be good to know this if you encounter a problem with a difference in square footage estimates to explain to the other party that it is just a difference in the way measurements are taken and could save you from a price reduction of over $7,000.   

It's common to see $80,000 price reductions to $120,000 price reductions.

The only ways I know how to safely get him cash sooner are: 1. seller rent back (we're already planning on doing this one) 2. offer to release 25k now in exchange for a 50k price reduction to justify the risk, and if he tried to breach contract or cancel the sale we could record a 50k lien on title (but that means we may have to wait decades to get our money back if he doesn't sell now) Anyone ever done this? 

Zillow also adjust prices in areas where they want to buy saw a 20% reduction in online prices just before they make offers.