An Irvine firm bought the Mustang Ranch.

The largest legal brothel in Nevada has been sold to Strong Point Inc. for $18 million in cash, ending a five-year struggle to sell the pink-stucco bordello to cover back taxes. Strong Point, a little-known real estate investment firm, said it is still exploring several ways to raise the money needed to complete the agreement but hopes to close the deal by December. Asked why Strong Point wanted to enter the business, Senior Vice President Roger W. Garrity said: “It’s a good business with good earnings. The primary motivation is the profitability of the business and the heavy involvement in real estate.”