We frequently request payment prior to filling in and sending the lease, especially if it's over PayPal or by Credit Card - these are all safe transactions for everyone involved. 

We also do drive-bys frequently just to see the outside condition of the house.

Avoid the newbies even though they have slick marketing pieces.Avoid listening to people who have a ton of book knowledge but have not done a single deal yet but frequently post on forums like they are an expert.

There are a few people from the SRQ area that frequent this site.  

I'm looking for one for my upcoming fix and flip projects and will be frequenting the local Home Depot there soon to inquire for business cards and do my own screening, but wanted to check in with the community first.

I now own a multi-family property as of Friday September 26, 2014.I will now be frequenting the landlord section much more often. 

@Craig Shute At the moment, it is the Queen's English, and there is little fear of frequent encounter with it here. ;-)

However, the downstairs unit where the water is used more frequently, and is still under construction, there is no noticeable odor.

@Jason MunckWhen I receive a colleague request w/o a letter of introduction (PM of introduction) or it I receive one out of the blue from someone with whom I've had no interaction, I will typically "let it hang" until I learn more about the individual and why they were reaching out.Surprisingly I receive colleague requests from folks who have never participated on the site (0 posts to the forums or blogs), which frequently arrive with no introduction or explanation of the reason for reaching out.

The more trees close to your property the more frequently things will clog up.