I've used lawyers as escrow agents. Not expensive, given the amounts at stake. Escrows are pretty common in all sorts of industries- an intermediary who receives the funds and holds them as a neutral, releases the funds once the other side advises that the goods have been satisfactorily delivered. That still doesn't account for the difficult buyer, but I've rarely had an issue.
For big dollar purchases, you can do a "closing"- which can now be done virtually.
The hidden defect, the things that don't show up in a pre-purchase inspection, are what will "get you" as a buyer. As a seller, I try to be as scrupulous as possible. I've sold high end properties, collectible motorcars, vintage stuff that way. In fact, I'm doing a few deals now with vintage motorsports and will offer the buyer that kind of protection. But, I usually go the distance as a seller, and make sure everything is "right" before I put it up for sale.