Messy, would you do this deal?

[Larry Flanagan]

I got a call yesterday from an attorney I know. He has a client who recently lost a nice house to tax sale. They are still living in the house but are about to be booted. They filed a suit against the tax sale buyer, citing improper notice was given or some such. The tax buyer agreed to settle if the homeowner paid $45,000 to get the property back (tax sale was around $12,000, retail value is near $120,000). Obviously, the homeowner doesnt have $45,000 and cant get a loan. They proposed I pay the $45,000 and then sell it on contract or lease it back to them or some such. It was enticing, but I decided to pass, too many ways it could end badly I was thinking. What say you?