If you're going to pay cash, make sure you're getting a screaming deal on the property. 

You're seemingly too emotionally attached to this deal and are looking for someone to just scream BUY IT!

After finish work, a 3rd draw covers all but the last 10-20% so they can pay the trades/recover what they paid the trades, and they get the final draw after final inspections are ALL PASSED (and get THEIR profit/pay)  If it's a small job, get another contractor, they should be able to cover it.  50% up front on a big job to me screams: "I am going to use a chunk of the money to complete my previous job!"

Few people will be willing to lend to an inexperienced person if they do not have significant personal funds in the deal, unless it is a screaming deal.

One of my partners had a big balance sheet, and he co-signed on the loan, but even though the debt was non-recourse, it freaked him out and I had to drag him kicking and screaming into it.  

If your concerns are correct it would be a bloody one. 

I'm sure there's a title company that understands what we do and doesn't scream RESPA just because they don't understand.

If the answer is "no" then you're either a huge visionary or the free market and hte local investor community is screaming at you: "There's no money to be made here!"  

I don't mind paying for value but this screams scam - blindly follow me.

I politely spoke to the owner Brent Voepel about it and he screamed at me.