For the turn Key program, Dmitri insisted that I would need to pay an up front fee of 10K per property that I intended to purchase through their program before they'd ever send me deals upon which I could conduct my due diligence. 

The Building Inspector insisted that I prove to him that the garage slab had the proper steel (rebar) size and spacing.

,Point taken.The nay-sayers, however, are the ones who, even after reading both your evidence, Eric's and mine will still insist that mortgage acceleration doesn't work.Myth: Mortgage Acceleration doesn't work.Myth - BUSTED

So if I was dealing with a seller who was insisting on handling the transfer this way, I would be wondering what the seller is trying to hide... and I would figure it out.

They didn't verify anything but apparently are telling people I am a scammer which helps me understand why I am no longer getting any traction on Facebook.Further, the person private messaging me spent (literally all night long) researching me and sending me messages insisting I am a scammer.  

The lender also insisted on 20% down instead of the 5% I was hoping for.

If you insist on staying in Chicago, follow the Orange and Green lines. 

The thing is, she always insists on being there if a contractor comes.

I would also INSIST that the seller have independent legal representation before I entered into a contract with an owner occupant.  

However, like @Kyle Jiron states MD allows contractors to get one third upfront at least on major rehab jobs (not on smaller jobs) and that's what at one these contractors insisted I give him as it was a major job.