The check is made out by you to BOTH the contractor and his supplier so they have to endorse the check, then hand it directly to the supplier for materials.It requires a lot of transparency, and usually an awkward conversation.. but it adds security.

It seems awkward, especially to a new landlord, but if you want to be respected, you have to remember you're not friends with your residents, this is a business and legal rules are in place to ensure business flows according to the mutually agreed upon contract.  

That seems really awkward.

It'd make for some awkward Thanksgiving dinners to say the least.In any event, good luck with whatever you decide to do. 

They seat you in such a way that it's extremely awkward to move.

It can be awkward and I'm not the most authoritative or blunt person, but it's my money on the line.I put that kind of language in my lease for the lawn as well.  

I say all this, not to make you feel bad or socially awkward but to hopefully push you to live up to your potential.

I need to get more of the story behind that.What makes it a bit awkward is he said he currently lives in the house across the street from the rental house.

Take a different route and look for private lenders, I don't really know where to start other than this website and maybe some of my friends parents, which would be a God awfully awkward situation. 

I think we're almost out of the awkward phase of amortization.