If you are just a plain person they usually must serve you in person. 

If a person has RCV or ACV policy makes a huge difference, than question of what coverage level people had and if they had policy add-on's that cover cost over-runs and all that fun stuff, not to mention contents. 

Require co-signers (like their parents), check references from previous landlords or college housing, verify enrollment status, and personal interviews to gauge responsibility.6.

Personally, I wouldn’t invest in a market where appreciation averages only 2%.

I personally did a couple last year that I self furnished and self manage while working full time.  

For in person connections try some local real estate meetup groups.

If one is transferring property title from personal name, a Grant/Warranty Deed would be drafted/recorded to transfer title. 

If you're more of a 'personal referral' person than a 'do research online' person, and this is local to you in Manhattan, KS, hit up one or two of the trades people in the "little apple all stars" BNI group.

@Leslie L Meneus, while the forums can be pretty good, in-person networking and sharing ideas is much more valuable.  

If a person has to ask, at all, I STRONGLY advise to use a PM service for tenant placement.