They all have lawyers on retainer.

Everything from protecting the home to managing the home and tenants in a way that will retain your tenants.

Is it reasonable to introduce myself as an investor in a title company I have not dealt with and promise to close with them, pay a "retainer" to show I am earnest about it, and in return they'll run a title search for a dozen or so properties? 

We all know the cash-on-cash and cap rate math depend on NOI so it's easily seen that the property value grows over time by how you manage your GSI.There is one major advantage to holding SFRs;  you can partially liquidate and still retain an income stream. 

So, if you do an land trust, ownership should still be a corp. entity.Again, these are just my thoughts, everyone would be very wise to retain a good attorney that knows the law in your state.

I advised that she tell her to do nothing until we have all the docs, plus emails between the agent and the buyer/buyers agent.I have already retained an attorney.

your name will now be linked to both of themAnd the only upside to you is that you retain a tenant who may or may not be committing fraud, and who may then continue that behavior in his/her dealings with you.I see no upside to your inserting yourself into a situation like this, but plenty of downside

J Salter- this may have been said already ( i didn't see it), but you need to retain a local attorney and have them terminate your contract now on your behalf.

Meanwhile, many tenants pay a bit late or have a later pay date on their lease, which results in the PM retaining all subsequent rents until the ensuing month’s distribution.

Neither the customer name nor the items sold are retained.