Do not accept the applicants referral numbers without confirming they are indeed the company number.I personally always pass on these applicants and let some other landlord take the risk over finding a applicant I can properly screen.I have no reason to voluntarily increase my risks for any stranger.

Think about it, you are already an unknown stranger asking for help and the BP community wants to help you so do everyone a favor and complete your profile including photo..otherwise it looks like you have something to hide. 

I have tried to convince my wife into living in a duplex or triplex but she's afraid of living that close with strangers as we have two little ones.

I may be new to Nashville, and I may be new to investing, but I'm no stranger to opening new doors and exploring possibilities. 

A guess would be that the sell view going though an agent as a hassle with lats of strangers trudging though the  house.

How does one mitigate risk by giving up complete control over their investments, in a market that they are less familiar with, in a market where they have severely limited ability to buy below market and do value added rehab, where they will be 100% dependent on the kindness of strangers to make or break their investments?

I find sellers are often harder to contact after closing (rely on the kindness of strangers there)..

So basically your looking for a tenant to share a  condo with a stranger,,   ??

Don't be a stranger, and interested to hear about your goals when you have chance.

A stranger that is successful will be much more encouraging than your own friends and family.