Is there anything a borrow can do to prevent it with a lender already in place?

Of course - having a w-2 job will never prevent you from setting up an IRA including a self-directed IRA.If yes, how can I fund it?

When you get to where you are now, turn around and follow the "breadcrumbs".Unfortunately, you may find that this first purchase doesn't fit in your plan, and may in fact delay or even prevent you from moving forward with your plan. 

Being part of the LCP is supposed to prevent things like this from happening. 

I'd just have an option against the property preventing him from selling to anyone else during the option period of 2 years.

And good conduct would prevent fist fights and jail time for bid rigging, as has happened in the past.

You may catch a fair amount of preventative issues if the visits are performed and sent to you.

Even if you did everything to prevent such risk it could always potentially happen. 

We advise all tenants to put pads on furniture legs to help prevent.

Your keys to prevent that is to turn uncertainty into risk, and manage or mitigate that risk to not effect your bottom line.