Your friends probably aren't in the few.If you're going to do a regular listing, interview several agents and say you want a 90 day listing, and you want it sold in 90 days.

I was just listening to Bruce Norris interview Paul Bertrand from the FBI mortgage fraud task force on his radio show.

@Matthew Miller I'm in the same hunt right now and I'm setting up interviews with different management company's so I'll keep you posted about that.

It's a fast read and comes with a bunch of helpful forms, interview questions and I think now they offer state-specific paperwork as well.As far as your specific questions: your realtor, in their due - diligence will get you a "rent roll" to see the payment history.

I believe in the Millionaire Real Estate Investor the book said of all the millionaire real estate investors that were interviewed the overwhelming majority preferred to keep at least 20% - 30% of equity in each deal to protect against downturns as opposed of being leveraged to the hilt.

if so, i hate to say, but you are probably not a priority for them, they probably have other investors with multiple properties that they make sure get taken care of first. they sound like a small PM company then if they could not free someone up to show your property.I had an experience when i bought my 1st property, the realtor i bought it with did PM as well, as i was emailing questions it got to the point she did not answer me so i went with another PM co. was with them for 4 years, then they started getting too greedy, then i re interviewed the 1st PM co ( not too many choices of PM co. where i invest) and she told me she regretted not responding fast enough to me and not getting my business before.

Back in the day, I'd have a prospective (residential) buyer come to my office and I'd qualify/interview them for at least 30--45 minutes before I'd even let them get into my car.Then with the advent of online MLS and all the Zillow's of the world, information is the key for a buyer. 

(aka non virtual assistant)2) when hiring, do you have a set of criteria or interview questions you suggest using to vet the applicants?

Lastly if you are not self managing interview 2-4 property managers and definitely ask for references and call them.  

I am currently on the look out for apartment deals and am beginning to interview brokers and lenders.