I'm not getting into this.. Except..
WHen you buy a house here the transfer of ownership does not take place until some weeks have past.
Bad example. When you sell a home the it is not SOLD until closing is done. If I come to an agreement with someone today, but I can't close until say Jan 2005, then the sale didn't happen now it would happen in Jan 2005. An agreement is not a sale.
If something happens in the house before Jan 2005, it is the responsibility of the original owner. If litigation starts before Jan 2005 any sale could be voided since there would be liens.
However I think they clearly stated SOLD in 2003 which would mean the deal was closed.