For example, I have repeatedly informed him of my very negative experience with ABC Capital Investments (still going on almost one year with no payments to show for it) and yet he continues to promote ABC Capital Investments in Baltimore and Philadelphia despite fully knowing that many people continue to have very bad experiences with them.

I started by setting aside a percentage of my income every month, treating it like a non-negotiable expense.

The older homes there aren't as bad (2k to 3k). 

Knowing I didn't want to rent it out for at least 2 years, I didn't put my name on the renting list which I now know was a bad move.

In return, we ensure the tenants treat the property as their own and respect the space they live in.

I currently use a property manager but they are very bad in tenant placements who do not answer calls or inquiries from Zillow.

Most focus on rate and amount of cash to close but bad loan administration or bad loan administration policies may cause the project to be far more capital intensive if viewed beyond day one of funding.

For example if you asked him to only paint a wall but the wall does not look good because the drywall itself is bad - that is not his problem because you did not want the drywall fixed.Specify what it is you want done and if complete you will release the payment. if he disagrees then he may sue and then let the court decide. 

Active real estate investors who can't get comfortable not being in the driver's seat, people who just don't like real estate as an investment, those who can't get comfortable with the risks, those who just don't understand syndicate investments, those who have heard bad things about this type of investing from others, and people who have invested in syndicates and experienced bad results.

That's not a bad idea - just strike a business contract.