Gurus may preach integrity and Abundance...but do your due diligence and keep your guard up when evaluating who to give your money to.  

Depending on what repairs are being done, perhaps you could hire a crue to work the interior on night shift hours, assuming the repairs are not a noise disturbance to neighbors.You could also get a mean dog inside, or hire a security guard to sit on premisis.

(I.E. a family member with the same first or last name) I think that the sooner you can get them to let their protective guard down the better (easier) it will be.

Not even close.In the weaker suburban to rural markets I notice lenders tend to be the (old guard).

I would like to hear some of the biggest/most common problems other investers have had with new tenants, what they did to correct/guard against these problems, or any other advice that might be useful in making out my first lease.

I agree with @Jay Hinrichs that there are so many "gurus" out there that do not provide value, that everyones guard should be up.  

Don't let down your guard.

Here's a few others my realtor recommended - Fidelity National Home Warranty, One Guard Home Warranty, & Allied Home Warranty. 

I use REI Guard as they bill monthly and have had no issues.

The plans that I have show a central HVAC which is why this caught me off guard.