Can anyone suggest something else he can do for work? Are there any thriving sales markets? I'd appreciate it greatly, as will he if I can offer up any reasonable suggestions.
Basically, I suggest being a consultant to bargain-seekers.
With such high foreclosure rates, I'm assuming it's a lack buyers. Being a property investor myself, I can tell you there are a lot of people I know personally who are biding their time and getting ready to pounce on bargains.
I'm based in the UK and so far the US market has tanked so much more. If you can package the deals and market them to UK investors I think you could be on to something.
There are definitely people wanting to buy, they just might be out of your typical geographical reach. Knock together a site with some example deals and get some exposure. Or post on loopnet.com or similar.
Google "bandwagon raiding machine" and see some products being marketing in the UK. I got access to one and basically all it says is find people in the US to source foreclosure deals then buy them.
Additionally, sales skills are very transferable. I don't know off hand, but I'd look up the fastest growing industries and try to land a sales job in one of those. Obviously, read everything you can about the industry before applying to the jobs you really want. Informational interviews would be a solid path to pursue as well.
This advice is made on the assumption that he's in a major metropolitan area with the kinds of conferences and informal gatherings to allow a new start.
Every cloud has a silver lining!