And it depends upon how careful you are about screening tenants.

Rather than having a discussion over the phone, submit a formal request via loan application - Then follow it up with a phone call.

Scope out the trucks with phone numbers and the Large pickups loading. 80-90 percent of them are contractors.

This can be in person or via phone.   

I will screen properly and evict if they don't pay their bills.

Main thing is find good tenants and that can be done with screening qualifications:-income 3x the Rent -minimum FICO score-minimum reserves-positive referencesBe disciplined with screening and you should be solid.

But I would really stress tenant screening.

We like to phone screen tenants before setting an appointment so we don't waste anyone's time if they won't meet our credit and income guidelines or they need specific features the property doesn't have. 

Did the previous landlord do a background check and tenant screening?

My biggest question is since there is not a general script, talking to investors over the phone how do you get past the initial introduction.