So they can pay half up front, then the remainder upon completion when photos are provided. 

Same with heat; there are many stories of landlords who go by their rentals in the middle of winter and find the heat jacked up to searing levels, tenants walking around in shorts and half the windows in the place open.

The easiest sell to me if you can't bring money is find a value add property and explain the BRRR method to people who have money (basically if the deal is done right their money will be tied up for 6-9 months and then they get it back at refinance), you find the deal and manage the rehab of the property.

I was thinking of installing a washer/dryer or offering half off the first month's rent. 

Often it is a lie or a half truth.

About half send checks and half are using Venmo.

They are the easiest for turn around and pets.

Or would it be better to sell half and keep half as incoming coming in? 

The potential tenants are aware that I'm the PM and neighbor.Rent: $1,600Tenant 1: a few years about of school, excellent previous landlord references, two jobs, seemed clean cut and put together, Gross Income to half / full rent: 6.77x Half Rent / 3.3x Full RentVolunteered dad (well qualified cosigner) who agreed to be cosigner and passed all screens.Tenant 2: Similar life status and feel as Tenant 1, lives with parents (no rental history), toured apartment with his mom, Gross Income to half / full rent - 3.6x Half Rent / 1.83x Full Rent.Would you require a cosigner for tenant 2 or is tenant 1's dad enough when combined with both incomes?

Look at my Avatar, the other half of my team is a hot blonde.  16.5" guns for me.Every day.