I'm guessing my wife would squash that plan the minute we got into a house she really liked though!

Sounds like, if the sellers aren't seasoned RE types, that someone is advising them (like a Realtor) to squash the deal, the verbage you posted has nothing to do with an assignment, IMO.

Every October, tiny parking lot patches sprout up all over and local farms bring out their best orange squash—from tiny little fellas to massive twenty-pounders.

Bugs get squashed by developers when they are pointed out.

As problems arise, they can be easily squashed because not only do you have voting power behind you, you also have the responsiveness of the owners because you have developed a personal relationship.

Squash following the SFR model.Painting is around $600-700 per unit and will only be $300 for the 2nd turn (no color change at that point).Call apartment complexes in the area and find out who their vendors are.  

I cancelled my appointments and kept my office door shut for two days while I was squashing fleas… LOL.

So they will try to squash most development or plans to improve the area.

I don't want to squash your enthusiasm or hope at all.

Better to squash it before it comes to something serious.