Overall; check with your bank first for a free option like Zelle, then move onto setting up with a third party player like ZenLordPro (there are numerous rent colleting apps, this one is just pretty easy to use) and you're thinking along the right lines in setting up electronic payments. 

When faced with what feels like an ethical issue in real estate, always err on the side of full disclosure to all parties.

One of my houses has 4 bedrooms but we only use 2 as sleeping rooms so as to discourage the larger party groups (we made the others a yoga room and an office). 

Private party and a lot of calls.

The best part is that everyone here is excited to help you learn and grow into real estate investing.

I will tell you though that in general the interpretation of the inspection report, for the most part is up to you. 

Hi Duncan, Yes you can negotiate during the due diligence stage and you can try to negotiate at any point in the sale process until close.If you end up not being able to move forward during your due diligence, your earnest money deposit should actually be fully refunded to you, provided you put in the contract that your offer is contingent on your ability to do your due diligence.There were several deals I worked on where additional repairs were found during our due diligence that necessitated negotiation.What we did was thoroughly explain to the seller the impact of the additional expense and then offer them the options of moving forward at a lower purchase price, or working out terms at the same price (owner financing/sub2/something else), or cancelling the agreement.Usually, the seller would choose to move forward at a lower purchase price but we definitely had parties choose to cancel or finance too.If they chose to move forward at a lower purchase price, we'd write up a simple 1-sentence addendum to the original contract stating the new purchase price and have both parties sign.You may want to include a deadline in writing of when the seller must respond by before you move forward with cancellation so you don't lose your EMD.

In order for a landlord-tenant relationship to work smoothly, there needs to be open communication between both parties.

This is why it is recommended that you outsource property management to an impartial third party. 

Anything call that has a decision or a follow up event for either party I would text it as a follow up and ask them to confirm.