Best way to sign a lease with someone out of town...

[Luke W.]

Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to sign a lease with someone that is out of town? The prospective tenant works in the oil fields and does the so many days on, so many days off work schedule. Currently he is out of town until the 1st, but is wanting to move in to one of my properties. I have checked all of the employment, background, income, etc. However, I don't feel comfortable holding a property for someone just based on a verbal agreement (I always market a property until I have a signed lease and deposit). Any ideas on how we could conduct business in this manner? Example, I don't want to sign a lease with someone and never receive the deposit in the mail. And, of course I wouldn't expect him to just mail a money order, either.

[Hattie Dizmond]

@Gary Thomas great answer!

@Luke W. another option is EchoSign, which is free always, unless you need to upgrade to an enterprise or pro version for multiple users.  It functions the same way DocuSign does.  Also, WalMart now offers a store to store money transfer option for amounts up to $900.  The fee is a flat $9.  There are WalMarts everywhere. 

PayPal is always an option.

Finally, you might check out the service Pay Near Me.  I believe Brandon Turner uses it.  It allows you to collect payments for things like rents, deposits, etc. at a local 7-Eleven, Family Dollar or Ace Cash Express.