Well that is sure a syko in the already early stages if ever I have seen one. That is really sick, its going to be even worse when you find out its like a single mum or something looking after a revolting child.
I would fully go with lunar before I would go with GD or HG, I don't like the way either of those two places treat their clients and yes I have been a client to both of them in the past.
The 1st two are both high maybes for me, but I would not do the last one unless its something you know you can beef up sell off or otherwise make some $ back on it.
I did that before and it worked out so so. The person does need to see what they want the site to show to everyone that visits though and yes estate and shopping are two separate things in my mind as well.
Having anything in writing now a days is just about a must in the business world. I hope all works out okay and if you can let us know how it goes for others that might wonder about such issues.
Always looking for similar sites is a good idea and I have done this quite a few times with maybe 70% feedback of either yay or nea from the owner of site X. Then of both the yay/neas I will get about 40% that do not wish to sell over their site to me, or my site to them. Not too bad for a...