The trigger is different every time but it is going to happen problem is we can not predict what the trigger will be so have no idea when it will happen.Everything is now in place for a collapse to occur it's simply a matter of time.

It's not because they are making 3% by sending a contract over to a title company/lawyer and are collapsing under the weight of their moneystacks. 

If someone owns a property free and clear and rents collapse by 90% even, they can survive.

Renters have a party, outside deck collapses, somebody gets hurt. 

When I say "big builders" I don't mean the publics--I mean the local guys who were the dominant players in the market either pre fire, or pre-market-collapse that have come out of retirement. 

Overnight the ceiling in the main floor bathroom of our four plex collapsed due to a water leak.

The lender can't force you to make it 50-50, but it's just set up so that your both equally liable if it collapses (regardless of how much you put into the deal).

Not to mention that she had to be rescued from FD becuz garage collapsed on her car and she couldn't get out!

If you COC return is above 10% buying today and having the market scream down tomorrow will likely break you out even as the low wouldn't be achieved for a few years most likely and unless you're buying garbage or a true collapse occurs you aren't likely to lose more than 30-40% so the cash-flow alone will likely off-set the oppertunity cost lost in buying it at the bottom.

Living through market swings and a total collapse teaches frugality and caution.