Earlier quoted context omitted.
In times of economic upheaval/resets, labour does not find bargains, capital does. Housing prices might take a hit, but by the time they pop up on the open market, you won't be buying from a distressed seller, but rather a numbered corporation domiciled in Delaware that's picked up all those properties in cash, cheap.
Who wouldn't sell houses on the open market?
Plenty of companies are out there offering quiet cash deals, they will find these properties much faster than agents with their paperwork and fees can swoop.