If the lockbox on the door is an electronic one, have your agent pull the recorded accesses thru the computer program for the lockbox.  

They can walk over with cash, mail a check, or do electronic transfer, and I just get deposit alerts from my banks I-phone app.What's great with working with the local bank is when it's time to purchase another rental place, minimal paperwork required since they already have the rental income history :)Congrats on the first investment property purchase!

Should I get setup with the bill / electronic payment system in QuickBooks to somewhat automate rent collection or do you like another service better?

One way to reduce the lag time is to go electronic.

The property is in a college town and I think I can market it in a way that the online capabilities will work. 85% of the people who call my other facilities seem to already know what they want without seeing the units, so even being able to rent them over the phone with electronic signing or even getting it scheduled and having the local guy meetup with the client should work for the majority.

Airbnb start up costs: 2,500 (furniture, electronics, kitchen items, and decor). 

All of the offers are submitted in bulk (paper or electronic) and the seller picks the one they like so there's just no opportunity to explain my situation or try to sway them in any way. 

Their Marketing, electronic leasing process and Owner portals is probably better than most if not top notch.

Encourage tenants to pay their rent and utility bills automatically through "bill pay" with their bank or by electronic funds transfer or debit card via a third party service that deposits the funds directly into your account.Bottom line though.... if the tenant can't (or won't) pay, they can't stay.

In the past five years, electronic payment (Interac e-Transfers or PADs) has become the most prevalent method of payment for rent among our tenants.Method of payment (42 tenants):Cash       Cheque        Electronic4              5                   33