Also at no fee. 

You mentioned 20k finder's fee (is this for each property sourced or a one time fee for their program/etc), 10% maintenance fee on gross income, $18/SF design fee.

Why aren’t you negotiating/agreeing to simply the seller’s agent fee right now?

But the underlying issue is far more important than where it was posted.If you source a deal, collect a finder’s fee or a brokerage commission.If you advance deposit or escrow funds, structure it as a reimbursable advance with a fee or preferred return.

Is it lower fees, even if that means less communication, fewer updates, and a more hands-off approach?

LTVs are tighter, interest-only periods shorter, and extensions usually need fresh equity or recap.Deals that stumble aren’t usually the property itself, it’s absorption, construction execution, or gaps in the capital stack.

Short-term capital is extremely effective when the exit is clearly defined upfront.From a lender’s standpoint, the biggest safeguards I look for are:A realistic timeline (with buffer) for rehab, lease-up, or saleA clearly executable exit (refi, sale, or take-out lender already identified)Conservative leverage, especially on heavier value-add projectsBorrowers who understand holding costs and don’t rely on best-case scenariosWhere investors get into trouble isn’t the cost of short-term capital — it’s when delays stack up and there’s no margin or backup plan.Used properly, short-term funding is a tool to create speed and opportunity.

Ideally, I'd like to earn 20k on my fee. 

I will post a short synopsis and when attorney fees are awarded in two weeks, I will post an in depth follow up. 

Not too difficult and I save all the fees.