Plus, you could take the proceeds and use them as a down payment for a 1031 exchange deal(s)

@Jacob SheetsCongrats on helping your friends out, but please save the "Look at this lucky couple I help buy a house" stock agent marketing for your Facebook/Insta/LinkedIn. 

The current situation has slowed things down, people are scared, investors are unsure about moving money around both the stock market and RE markets are uncertain, listings are being pulled or not entered at all and buyers are scared to move forward.

ROTH IRA invested in a fund which is mimicking the S&P 500 Index.Taxable Accounts:Invested in the Index that follows the Total US Stock Market index. 

The issue is this, she doesn't want to do a 1031 exchange and roll it into another property (she isn't in to being an investor) and she doesn't want to get hit with significant taxes with the sell of the home.

Our plan is to pay the arras with the clause that you mention and put the following dates: contingent on approval of the mortgage by 1st Aug, exchange on 1st Sept or something like that. 

So, for newer investors or someone who wants to invest who has a surplus of cash or can wait out the stock market, I would hold now and watch what happens.

A situation arose with a 1031 exchange I am in the middle of in Denver, CO.

The buyer may be okay with it, especially if they are on a 1031 exchange timeline.

It seems like given the uncertainty in the market, some good opportunities might open up in the Real Estate market or even Stock Market.