I wanted to know, if possible, how do you protect your interest in a property from a contractor stealing the deal?

But its so easily replicated that if you even hint of what it is someone will steal your idea. 

Some people make good landlords, some don't, identity that.

It will not keep their identity secret.  

I understand that the property will still be covered by my personal liabilty insurance, but I would like to move the other business aspects into a separate business identity.

In the body clearly reference the clause it is modifying and the actual words used should be similiar if not identical as in the original purchase and sales, just with a different closing company.Who is holding the hand money/earnest money?

He isn't investor minded so I am sure this looks like a steal to him.

I would only put that amount with one of the big 5 national title and escrow companies.. for those that have blind faith in small closing attornies remember they are just people and its not a rarity that they screw up and steal peoples money.. it happens.. and its one thing to have 5 or 10k at risk but 400k  Large NO WAY NO how from my point of view.

Acquiring property management companies these days is a challenge and you will find out that even if you have a large check book, you are essentially buying someone's identity and future (in their eyes). 

One of 10-50 identical ones in a group?