The way the article is written indicates that the Husicks are offering to refund the purchase price upon the death of the buyer, which doesn't make a lot of sense as an incentive. But after reading a few times, it appears that the actual offer is that the sellers have offered to will the purchase price back to the buyers upon the death of the sellers. That's not a bad deal, assuming the home's actual value isn't too far below the sale price.
How about the frenchman who bought the right to buy a widow’s house thinking he would surely outlive her?
She went to his funeral, I believe.