I have purchased items with a lien before. Just paid the differance and with held the lien amount to pay it out ourselves. A seller with no scam in mind should not object.

I would never advance the money to pay off the lien to the sellar. This is in Canada though where it may be a little differant. Anyways I never got bitten by this approach.

Now if you are going to finance the item may become a little more involved.