I was uncomfortable but I thought that maybe this was the way commercial deals worked.The GP predicted selling the property for $3.1 and then signed a deal in January for 2.78, which seemed low given the hot nature of the market and the improvements done to the property but I didn't really have any recourse.

Do Realtors routinely ask the seller "what are you going to do with the money?" 

If, after remitting the deposit, they are uncomfortable with any of the terms of the Lease - then I'd simply point out that it complies with/adheres to all pertinent statutes.

I was uncomfortable buying homes for $125 when I was able to buy better homes that were larger and in better neighborhoods with better lots in the high 80's to mid 90's.

For the most part most of them do not belong to either the national nor their state associations and do not attend major industry events where this kind of information is routinely shared.

If its an apartment you may consider routine pest services to ensure whatever bad habits one tenant may have isn't affecting others, but by routine every 6 months.

I also was impressed by him but at the same time uncomfortable as he only worked with 203K loan deals on big jobs like this.

Condo associations generally take care of common areas like landscaping, pool areas, and routine maintenance/repairs of the exterior of the building.

I mean, I guess if you are really uncomfortable you can request to Skype or FaceTime with him. 

Every year, we would go to the beach I would go through my usual routine of getting the real estate magazines from the corner machine and sort through them looking for something that I thought I might be able to buy.