Simplest terms, escrow is merely a neutral 3rd party who operates based on instructions from those involved in the transaction, typically those instructions are in the form of a contract that both parties have signed. 

So, people end up being left soured on the whole concept.One of the instructors in the education I'm connected to has a company doing hundreds of millions of dollars in wholesale business annually.

When a lawyer receives the direction instructions form the lender he/she is no longer representing but the lender.  

My CPA has instructed me that the auto expenses (at least the proportion used for rental activities), overhead such as office supplies, software, tax preparation, and other items which occur to operate the rental properties (AS A WHOLE) are expensable on Schedule E relative to the activity (e.g. based on number of units per property) by "cost accounting or cost allocation".

I also instructed the tenants to put a no trespassing sign up.

Next, what do you instruct the potential applicant to bring to the showing?

I was told by the instructor of my class that it depends very heavily on the nature and severity of the offense.

The single guy hasn't followed the instructions about submitting a complete application.2.

Maybe some sort of Trust with instructions that upon death you would purchase the properties at the appraised values from the Trust, and the Trust would distribute the cash to the heirs? 

Personally, I put a note on the mail box making it clear the unit is vacant and instructing them to not leave any packages.As for the deposit, stop worrying about it.