This thing could cash flow at upwards of $700 a month if some of my higher projections for rent prove true.

So I just need to prove to them that this is worth their time, i'm credible, and make monthly payments or lump sums of the principal.

Don’t care who did it and why, get rid of it.Now here’s the kicker, if you or your repair or maintenance people take care of it, they can report everything to you, which helps you prove the tenant is at fault or caused the problem, so then you can........hold your horses....hold your hat on...bill him!!!!!!!

I figured time studying for that could be better used studying and seeking out deals.

My guess is you're going to college to study something that you'd like to do. 

This person in particular is not local to me so I feel uncomfortable trusting they have "done millions in transactions", and I don't know what type of materials to ask them for to prove legitimacy.

The very best way to serve your clients is to be knowledgeable in their industry.Given that Bigger Pockets frowns on self promotion (even posts like this which are not-quite-so-thinly-veiled as self promotion), the best way to "solicit" clients here is to prove your knowledge. 

They have a bunch of multiple choice questions to prove identity, like which one of the above seems like a correct county you might have resided in etc. 

More CA specific info here - https://expressevictions.com/c...And this one says tenant must prove both that you accepted the payment AND did not notify them that partial payment would be insufficient.https://www.justia.com/trials-...So, post a new letter and include language that partial payments are not sufficient (and maybe put the legal phrase "accepted with reservation" that some other states require, as well).

And I agree that I would like to keep them on a month to month until they prove they are worthy or not.