In addition, Cleveland has experienced long term population decline (since at least the the 1970s). 

Over the past many years, since the Great Recession, the overall national and Wake County NC default rate has declined considerably.

Keep us posted @Brian Pulaski...utilities are always a PITA both in needing service and for "gotcha" costs either through purchase or through ongoing operations.The property I just purchased, I had probably 7 or 8 conversations with the previous owner because the bills simply didn't make sense, and of course they forgot or declined to disclose certain things.Also ask yourself at the end of the day, lets say the bill is $1000 but this is a good deal and you want to make money.

@Kevin Duncan If the seller's agent is sharp, he will likely either decline your offer altogether or accept it with a kickout clause - meaning that he continues to market the property until you or your assignee closes - and has the right to accept and close on a different offer up to the time you execute.However, if wholesaling is illegal in your state as it is here, he will probably tell you to kick rocks as he is at risk of license suspension or revocation for participating in an illegal real estate activity.If he has an "exclusive right to sell" listing contract, which he almost certainly does, the seller is obligated to pay the full commission regardless of who buys it or how it is sold.

Although we don't know what the market will do, and we don't know when a down turn is coming we do not that at some point things will level off and decline.

Is there a way to decline partial payments, or somehow not accept them?

You need to investigate why the market has declined.

I'd want to avoid areas that are still in decline so you don't find yourself in a D property or neighborhood.

Oh and his wife then told me to write in another $3000 under the husbands name, which we declined.

Investors are out, Homeowners are moving in, and as soon as interest rates go too high prices will stop moving and begin the decline.