After uploading 27 documents I was met with an upfront $700 processing fee, they insisted I pay before accepting any of the documents.

Some of the large commercial brokers insist on exclusive, non-compete agreements.

As Curtis was suggesting, I find it funny that people seem to think that if they use a contract, insist in their contract that the parties are defined as they wish, that they will be viewed in that light instead as seen under regulations and law.

For the turn Key program, Dmitri insisted that I would need to pay an up front fee of 10K per property that I intended to purchase through their program before they'd ever send me deals upon which I could conduct my due diligence. 

If a seller insists on CFD, what creative workarounds or strategies have you used to make it Section 8–friendly?

One reviewer insisted that the toilets were “tiny,” when, in fact, they are standard toilets purchased from Lowe’s (American Standard) and one is even chair height.

He insisted we take a picture together.

I also insist upon seeing their pre-approval letter too.

Assuming your realtor was smart enough to insist on an estoppel of rents obviously you can go after the seller for reimbursement. 

15k for furniture one couch can be half of that if its a good qaulity one at least my wife insist that is true when I question her on why we need such things.