I feel I will have more competitive edge by having more control over the transactions and having bigger leverage on selling properties with agents.

I also needed to set up some reoccurring transactions to by business checking account to keep my fees down so this was actually somewhat timely.

Any good QI with a national presence that specializes in reverse exchanges should be able to handle your transaction.  

They sell the house and Jane illegally represents herself as Mary during the transaction.

If your wife is part of the transaction, she must use the state forms.

I'm a patrolman for a local police department.

Usually, not always, in a sale transaction a seller proves they have good title to convey, they pay for the search, the owner of the policy pays for the policy, the more customary approach, but local custom prevails, it can always be negotiated. 

When negotiating a contract assignment with your end-buyer, what is the criteria used for determining how much of an earnest deposit to ask for, in order to insure the end-buyer has some skin in the game and is not so prone ti back out of the transaction during escrow?

Most people who have participated in residential real estate transactions as buyers or sellers remember experiencing last-minute changes at the closing table.

Focus energy on networking with their foreclosure or collections departments.