Loan mods means that there may be other people in the complex who have had thier mortgages modified. That is, they to are in distress but the lender modified the terms of the loan.
Your home will be assessed based on the price of the sale not the appraisal.
As for your strategy it sounds good. Simply give it a shot and see what happens. If the seller does not negotiate then you have the option of walking or hanging in there. I think it will work out.
