That has been a pretty common trend here over the past 5 years but over the past 12 months it is certainly more pronounced. 

Tenants in common or partnership? 

That is a common problem when you analyze properties, one at a time, instead of markets.

Giving up 30-50% is common, but if you can show you have successfully been able to do this type of deal (which you have), you may find people are ok taking some more risk on you.That is smart to take PM off your plate.

Hard Money can be found right on Bigger Pockets, I would recommend searching on here - much less scamming taking place.

I have thought of offering cash for keys, but think they would accuse me of bribery or something to that effect, even though that is common and legal if it is agreed upon between parties to my knowledge. 

At this time I really do not have time for buying and renting out properties, I would basically need someone to handhold me completely through the process, and I tend to be overly cautious of scams.

Hey team! I am doing LOI for 12-unit commercial property. They want escrow money at 2% of asking to submit a LOI. Is this normal? FYI. This is my first commercial property I am pursuing. We didn't do a LOI with my oth...

We are mid-stream through a value add process which will enhance the quality of life for our residents and increase the value of our asset through unit upgrades, common area and amenity enhancements, and ultimately rent increases.

Those "operating as" are pretty common here.