.**** Ideally, you'd get something in writing from the tenant indicating they are surrendering possession and stating anything left the in the property is deemed to have no value. 

Too much to write here.

The issue is that I would like to manage this property myself and would like to be known as the property manager and not a landlord.Since the property is under my name, I was wondering if there was a way to have them write out their checks to a company name rather than my name for obvious reasons stated above.

It seems to me that a good company would want to write an operations manual instead of a training course. 

Most will tell you STRs are a lot of work and I won't disagree with that if you don't know what you are doing.I will say though, we have been able to put together some rock-solid systems and processes to streamline that to minimize the work and maximize the returns.My business partner and I are actually writing a chapter in a new book that is coming out this year about unique stays.

Easy to write a state specific lease and make tweaks, and send for electronic signature.

Any other bidder has to write a check for that amount, PLUS the amount over that to reach their winning bid.

I am not writing this never happens, so be forewarned, but you asked for pitfalls.

Assuming you're stuck on renting it as a "duplex", you write a lease for 3 bedrooms and the named bathroom (s) for each tenant.

I was thinking of writing in my lease something to the affect of "ceiling fans were left here from previous renter, landlord will not replace/maintain ceiling fans.