You need to work really hard to decrease the upfront cost. 

U.S. home builders started construction on homes at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 1.42 million in February, representing a 10.3% decrease from the previous month’s revised figure, the U.S.

Vacant units have also had a hard time getting leased up and rent prices are decreasing (in major metros like SF and Oakland).

Do not buy in any location if the state or metro populations are static or decreasing.

Many Associations will complete proactive exterior pest control or you could push for such a service through your boards at a greatly decreased price. 

Relentlessly focus on looking for ways to increase your income or decrease your expenses so you can save up for the reserves faster.

I am also told it supposedly decreases your insurance.

A Uniform Annual Decreasing Term policy is usually the cheapest and it decreases over the term.

Property values in Italy have pretty much decreased continuously over the last 15 years and it's much worse in these regions and people are leaving, not moving in.

@Stephen BrownToledo's population has been decreasing steadily over the past 10 years, however.