Supply of condos is rising and demand is going down allowing the buyers to negotiate better terms and substantial price reduction.

That makes investors happy (perceived reduction in risk through diversification while still investing in alternative assets) and it makes wall street happy (claw back some money from the self-directed true alternative asset outflows, more products = broader audience = more clients = more money)Hopefully that makes sense.

A good and connected architect in the city is worth their weight in gold. 

Even though you have national credit lenders still qualify the borrower just not weighted as heavily as if you had a regional or mom and pop NNN tenant backing the lease.Even if you have franchisee there are still levels to the guarantee such as are they a large operator with 100 plus units in that system for over a decade OR are they a smaller franchisee with minimal experience with the brand?

School districts, physical moves, and spouse approval all have substantial weight in such a strategy.

The center of the tree will rot and weight will be concentrated to the sides, leaving the tree susceptible to splitting. 

My bid was 51% of list price after three 10% price reductions.

I protested through a firm last year, do you know if the reductions from previous protests are usually carried over to the current year's values by the assessors?

However, I second/third the opinion that a $1m umbrella liability policy is worth its weight in sleep-filled nights, if thats a thing. 

The nominal cost is worth it's weight in gold.