It can be a good temporary solution, hence the name "bridge" loan!

Hope you find a better solution than I did!

You could take him to small claim's court or rally the larger family to guilt the heck out of him - but I think there's something more you should be doing:  taking care of you.You need a better housing solution. 

My biggest take away from property management is concessions are never the solution.

As you may know, being a good listener and problem solver is key, so once you evaluate you have a truley motivated home seller and you know their problem, you must be able to find a solution and good negotiating techniques really come into play here.What you should be telling them is that you can solve their problem and buy their home for X price and once you have agreed to terms and contract provisions, you get it under contract.

Good solution to save a little money and learn something.Again, thank you everyone for all the great information and tips.

Any other creative solutions?

The buyer never gets the master key, and the buyer doesn't get ripped off either.Ah, gotcha...I agree that's a much better solution...

At this point (per company resolution passed 1/2011), I am no longer going to use home grown solution(s).

Having a separate house in the back is a solution.