There are restrictions for brokerages to qualify for E&O insurance that stipulate that the brokerage must get form of compensation.

If you want to negotiate a percentage of the profit, you could structure a JV deal that stipulates those terms. 

She stated that she screwed up, and is terribly sorry, and not sure how this happened or how it was not caught by anyone....but that the loan product (Freddie Mac home possible) that they are using...went through everyone, passed underwriting, and then was selected for quality control and was noted that one of the home possible policies stipulates that:Ownership of other residential propertyThe Borrower must not have an ownership interest in any other residential property as of the Note Date, or the Effective Date of Permanent Financing for Construction Conversion and Renovation Mortgages, except as stated below.

The contract stipulated that there were no contingencies and a 17 day close.

So I was talking to the lender about "can I do this" and there were a couple of stipulations (like 60/40 LTV) which I didn't care about but I didn't have to deal with any seasoning period. 

My tenants have children who want to use the playset, and the lease agreement says that the landlord shall not be held responsible for injuries resulting from use of the playset, but I'm wondering:(a) Does this stipulation actually release me from liabilities, or could I still potentially be sued for any injuries resulting from use of the playset?

You can stipulate how you receive the payments. 

Since the lease stipulated payment to the old owner, even making payment to me (the new owner) would technically 'violate' the lease.

The major stipulation is utilities to the property line.  

Besides this he makes my other tenants take care of the lawn entirely, even though the contract stipulates HE is responsible for half the lawn care and other tenant is responsible for the other half (moving forward i will just include the cost of lawn care and hire a company) HE ALWAYS PAYS LATE.