Most folks think that this is referring to a practice called basis shifting which would allow your moms estate to sell property to you at an inflated price in order to take advantage of the tax free step up in the estate.  

My question to this forum is, what's the best practice here?

It's not a bad idea, it's just going to be difficult to enable as a practical matter.

Some RE attorneys I have worked with have simply stopped practicing law inside the The City of Cleveland because the Housing Court is a Kangaroo Court. 

It isn't practical to find "affordable" GCs, at least we've not been able to in our rust belt market, where home prices are way below national average.

What are the best practices in negotiating a lower commission with a listing agent?

We’re practically neighbors!

Is this a common practice or are there rules against doing so?

Keaton owns a money hungry company with disgusting practices, steer clear at all costs. 

From a practical standpoint, add an umbrella policy to cover liability in case you get sued just to be safe. 5.