After you place a tenant or two, it won't feel like a big deal.

After all, LTR typically have a lower MRR and will need to deal with evictions probably more often.

It is to the point it is probably annoying to the guest.If you do not have the time or patience (or staff) to verify and deal with fraud or issues, it may not be for you. 

What are you estimating in terms of gross- and net yield on your student rental deal?

so if this is your very first deal - i would pass. 

So here is my question, I know a reputable firm that provides this service but how can I set up the 'business partnership' where they are my chosen vendor for this service without my clients trying to go behind my back to deal with them directly, thereby kicking me out the middle.

It is a moving target and challenging so you aren't the only one dealing with these challenges!

It's a great opportunity to buy them because you can get a smoking deal....but trying to sell them is incredibly hard right now.

I'm ultimately looking for 5+ unit deals but understand that 99.9% of the deals that come through are going to be SF and Duplexes, and that's okay. 

The fact that you’re not seeing positive cash flow for a few years is something to weigh carefully—sometimes a slightly better cash flow deal in a different area might be worth considering.