You talk about screwing people and use an assault as a metaphor.

Let's use a non-real estate escrow example, drugs always make for fun metaphors. 

@Jason Eyerly I spoke metaphorically when I said "take it like a man" as opposed to acting like a weasel or a snake to dupe some unsuspecting "buyer" to overcome a loss.

@James Wise and @Paul Weller - One way that I think the metaphor crosses over is in the space of banning vs. taxing.When marijuana was banned, a broad and uncontrollable underground operation emerged to skirt around the laws. 

Also the OP can swallow the pill without chocking (metaphor)!

Having said that, I also must listen to the war drums beating in the distance if you'll pardon the metaphor.

Yes, the money would pass through the seller's hands, metaphorically speaking, but the funds would not originate with the seller.In your reply to @tim puffer, you assert that "buying/selling a property is not rocket science."  

If I can use a baseball metaphor here -sounds like you are swinging for the fence, when right now you just want to step up to the plate and make contact with the ball.

Spoiler Alert: the Tortoise vs. the Hare metaphor is still accurate.Outside of tax advantaged (IRA) or free money (401k assuming match)  once these are maxed than pursuing more  hare like techniques may be advisable under the right circumstances.

I'm trying to be a little careful on this site because my metaphors tend to lean towards the crass side at times.