My best recommendation here is to get with other investors in your market and ask them what techniques and companies they are using for foundation work.  

We work with a few DST companies.

I'm a private money lender and a buy and hold investor, and in my opinion, no lender will ask for an upfront fee other than possibly asking you to pay for an appraisal or BPO directly to the valuation company.

Buffalo has been a great market for me personally and for investors in general as our property management and Realty company has grown to over 600 doors.The key to investing in Buffalo is location and asset condition.  

However,  is it normal practice to hire a title company or purchase title insurance as a part of closing on a land purchase?

If your company will not quote up to $5mm have them check on other companies. 

I am looking for insurance companies that are good and affordable.

Also, I found out from the attorney at the title company that the cloud on title they required me to implement at the county office could only be released by their "3rd party escrow" company (which they required you to use) that which the title attorney found was unlicensed and not really an escrow company despite having the word "escrow" in their company name.

Again, I would contact other title companies

Buying a house with Solar installed on lease solar company wasn’t paid for 6 months by seller and is now refusing to accept back payment to reinstate the service and remove the lien.