This would be obviously more profitable on all deals but also help safe guard and bad rentals or flips.

What the IRS does stipulate that all activities of the plan must be for the exclusive benefit of the plan beneficiaries.The IRS recommends the following criteria to determine if a plan’s policies are for the exclusive benefit of the plan participants: The cost of an investment must not exceed its fair market value (FMV) at the time of its purchase.A fair return commensurate with the prevailing rate must be provided.The investment must be sufficiently liquid to permit distributions per the plan terms.The safeguards and diversity that a prudent investor would adhere to must be present.So put that in perspective relative to the lending arrangement you are considering.

While you may have read a lot or practiced the mechanics of making a deal, nothing is a substitute for actually going through the process and you need to safeguard yourself from as many mistakes as possible.   

I'd like to hear some thoughts on how to not only ensure that I will get paid for my work but how to safeguard the seller and buyer so that everyone wins?

I know some people split their lending between 2 or more banks... probably to safe guard this situation.

So somehow this is meant to safeguard the indigent owner.There was an offer of $115 k vs a sales price of $119k  so now I am in position to "Upset" the offer if I choose. 

You  may miss a deal or two, but the reality is you will safeguard what is most important in business.

However, you will have title insurance anyway, which safeguards you against defects on the title.

Yet things have vastly changed in the lending and real estate world since the previous downturn with certain "safeguards" put into place.

I would also review with the agent what types of safeguards the companies will expect (Hard wired smoke detectors, Central station alarms, extinguishers, etc.) as some of that will be cheaper to do during your rehab rather than laterIf you lease the commercial space out to certain businesses you may have to comply with additional codes.