@James DavidsonAssuming that you have been impacted by the virus in one of the enumerated ways and therefore qualify, you can take a penalty-free distribution (as well as waive the 20% withholding requirement) from your 401k (assuming that the employer allows it) anytime between 1/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.

If you go straight to the seller agent they will probably just take both sides of the commission so you're not going to have a vastly more competitive offer.If you're in a hot market and think you can get 50k off asking when people are still paying full price then you might be wasting the agents since the COVID scare hasn't had that big of an impact on real estate thus far. 

I've been seeing the impact this could have on housing and was curious on how to minimize risk from the buyer end.Income stable for now, hoping it stays that wayYes inspection was done with minor fixes which seller agreed to fix.Appraisal came back at the sale price 2 weeks ago, not sure covid 19 impact on appraisal- if any.

In my personal opinion, any time the government starts throwing out large amounts of money, it has a negative long-term impact on the country.

I may look to other areas later this year or next year however.The security deposit item doesn't impact me, since I only own 10 units right now.

That would be ideal, but you could still structure financing even if they have an underlying mortgage.You and the relative should both be very mindful of the impact of any sale proceeds on their eligibility for Medicare/Medicaid.You should also be highly sensitive to any family dynamics here.

Focus on Class B/C properties - they are usually not impacted during recession.

The “impact noise” from people walking and dogs seems to be the loudest.

So, March is not representative of what the full impact of COVID-19 will be on the market.

There has already been an impact.