Ask the seller to carry some paper for a while and work out some terms that work for both of you.

The mortgage is has less than $160,000 left on it"In purely speculative numbers let's say the house is worth $265,000 - the capital gains tax could be $15,000 or more depending on how the numbers work out.

It's not common that things work out this way and I assume you had some experience in investing or had great advice on how to buy.

If there was any way at all my wife and I could work out a deal with them to buy this house, somehow, and rent it out while they walk away with some cash in their pockets?

No-Go = didn't work out. 

I've engaged similar discussions, I was the partner to bring finance, although it didn't work out at the end.The thing I wanted most as the finance person to make sure the operator/developer has skin in the game, that he will make money or lose money together with me.I'd love to hear what kind of arrangement you end up with.

Hey I may have someone who could work out for you.

At the same time I wonder if with most investors having their own contractors already that it may not work out.

5:00am - Map out my day with my planner + prayer5:30am - MOVE THE BODY (usually a 30-45 minute workout)6:15am - Breakfast + kids ready7:30am - Drop kids at school8:15am - Start the workdayI do this every single day, even on Saturdays and Sundays. 

I am now looking for a local handyman that I can work out a deal with that I can pay him monthly to take any calls, and then pay them an hourly rate to go in and fix anything that needs to be fixed.