Consider:-1) Searching for recent bankruptcy/eviction/pre-foreclosure filings with your county.

Example - I purchased an automotive shop with all the equipment intact at a bankruptcy auction for $117,000.

Over a million people laid off by company bankruptcy or closure in mortgage and vendors. 

The advantage here is in cases of bankruptcy, in CA from $100K to $175K is protected from creditors, depending on your status.

today I got a letter from bankruptcy court with a stay for the eviction.

With supply and demand 101, we know that is not good, especially with the Saudis not lowering their oil production.From what I've read, I expect a lot of the outfits that are fracking in Canada and the Northern states to probably file bankruptcy and be sold out, or do tremendous amounts of volume to stay afloat, worsening conditions.

Heard nothing back from the homeowner (henceforward known as HO :-)Then...the news that HO had declared bankruptcy.Foreclosure halted.Then the news that the bankruptcy was not going to proceed.Foreclosure on again.Finally, the HO decided to sell, before the auction date hit. 

Our third building was a court bankruptcy. 

I believe oil prices will keep on crashing until enough production is lost due to bankruptcies of smaller oil companies throughout the world.

If for whatever reason something happens in the market and you have a hard time renting or selling (real estate is highly illiquid) we are talking bankruptcy - and very quickly might I add.