Really...no matter what happens,  your insurance policy is your first line defense and best defense. 

@James Whitehead does your lender know you plan to tap HELOC for down payments?

In MA the former owner can bring a defense of a defective foreclosure to any eviction.

Hi James - Welcome to the LV.

There are times when you can elect a "stock" purchase to be treated as an "asset" purchase allowing you to reset depreciation.At times you do a stock purchase (buying the entity instead of buying the assets) when assets are immovable such as a Medicare Cert or a defense contract, or some other intangible.

Quote from @Eric James: If you want to make money in real estate you don't cut special deals because of a sob story. 

What’s you defense for breaking the law going to be?

Because they will get defensive if they feel you are pressuring them.

It depends on both how backed up the court is and how aggressive the defense is for the previous owner.

Because they will get defensive if they feel you are pressuring them.