If the lien is old enough that could certainly change the way you approach things... in these parts that lien would expire 10 years and 1 day from last record date, and if not re-filed you would be in the clear.

Alicia, this is not enough information to give you accurate answer, but what you propose might be considered prohibited transaction because of the involvement of "disqualified person". 

Most have a daily limit of $500 or so.On the receiving side, the biggest challenge you'll have - depending on the amount of money involved - is finding an agency that has sufficient cash on hand to pay it out. 

What if I write him a check to cover legal fees, call it EMD, get a copy of check to title company, and file an affidavit of equitable interest and require the EMD back if he fails to go through with the sale after probate? 

@Dawn Anastasi - Thank you for the advice, I noticed you are located in the Milwaukee area do you have any recommendation for an organization to get involved with? 

Typically landlords would describe emergency repair requests along the line of involving "fire, flood or blood" (if this helps).One would assume that a tenant with a lousy credit score, two pitbulls and a yearly income that places her on poverty status would be grateful any landlord would rent to her. 

But I too am apart of two deals involving condos.

They will probably want to know about the fire anyways.You might need to file a claim with your insurance agent and let the agents fight it out. 

Join local trade groups, get involved in RE networking events and start introducing yourself to the market.

I've looked around on the site, but have been hesitant for the same reason as Youdo - don't want to get involved with a bid that I can't close and then lose my bidders' fee.