First the process. The purchase contract is notarized. In one clause it states that for the payment of the price, among other things, besides a clean land register etc., the waiver of the right of first refusal by the city also belongs. So the notary will not request payment from the buyer before this is provided. If the city now exercises the right of first refusal, then the contract is null and void anyway. But that does not happen. Something else might happen, depending on the contract the original owner has with the municipality or city. It could be that it states if xy is sold within z years and a surplus over the originally paid price is achieved, he must involve the municipality with x percent, unless they expressly waive it. Such a construct can only be circumvented if the purchase contract between you becomes null and void, should the municipality not waive it. For the municipality to waive it, the council must know the situation, so the seller should play with open cards, telling the mayor or city council chairman, depending on the municipal constitution, Mr. So-and-so, I want to sell at this price because I am backed into a corner. And if I achieve this price, I am free of my debts and can try a fresh start, but if you want sum x from me now, it won’t work. Then I probably won’t be able to prevent a forced sale by the bank. .... With some luck this will go through. If not, you as a buyer just have to wait until the bank takes action and then step in. K.