Since I am both the agent and the authorized signer for the buyer.

They were authorized to so by Dodd-Frank, which was passed in 2010.

Should the property owner pick up the interest expense even though the mortgage company issued a 1098 to the other individual?

You may have one individual within this company that represents you (the buyer) and a separate individual that represents the seller, but they are ultimately working together to get a deal done and collect a commission. 

The draws on their 'loan' are subject to work done so it's getting tight as the financial guys are insisting on 'substantial work completed' b4 a draw is authorized. 

You just have to sign up for an account and upload to each site individually.

Previous landlord can't release details about someone for which I don't have a signed authorization.

If I caught wind of any of these I called the authorities.    

., a industry specific cal center and "boots on the ground" (an individual who is local to the property who can perform the needed onsite tasks).

Instead of hiring a property management company, I would prefer to work with a trustworthy individual that can also do regular maintenance and repairs.