@Albert Bui or @Upen Patel do either of you have thoughts on this situation and how to best handle it?

It makes me believe like this guy was nailing me and it'd be exposed if he breaks down the costs.Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

I had not thought of most of those.

The tax office told me that the property taxes were up to date as well, which didn't add up because I thought the property had been foreclosed on years ago. 

No written agreement is required.Customer: A customer is a party to a real estate transaction with whom the broker has no brokerage relationship because such party has not engaged or employed the broker, either as the party’s agent or as the party’s transaction-broker.It was explained to me like this.

If you want the house just buy it... and if you need your brother maybe you simply have him co sign .. just a thought.. 

What are your thoughts?

I did what I thought was a good thing that turned out to be bad.  

You are trying to get his general thoughts on his being open to it or more closed off based on bad experiences in the past.If he seems neutral to positive you could bring up you are thinking of bringing in a partner on a deal and start talking about the property and details.

Thanks for your thoughts!