I usually just use a personal check, typically made out to the seller's agent's brokerage firm (Coldwell-Banker, Exit Realty, who ever it happens to be.)  

I've had brokers tell me this before (not my brokers), and while I'm not an attorney, I firmly believe there is nothing illegal about this practice and I'm perfectly happy to stand in front of a judge and argue it if it ever came to it.Here are my thoughts:-  It's not a RESPA violation.  

Here are a few things that are important to me (no particular order):The understanding that while you are the property manager you will be managed by meProactive instead of always reactiveTimely financial reporting, timely response to tenant concerns, timely action when tenants break the rules, timely feedback to meBe known and seen by the tenants (do property inspections, find out what is going on before its too late)Be firm but fairHave solid referencesOwn real estate investments (this is very important to me)Expert in fair housing, eviction process, marketing, tenant screening and selection, etc.Have an establish process and vendor pool for a large variety of repairs, be responsive to repair request (doesn't mean all request are granted)Think of it as a partnership (we make money together)Have staff that can step in (can't have a single point of failure)I am sure there are others but this is off the top of my head.

You must be firm, fair and swift in addressing this issue.

If you show the tenants how you intend to manage the business and are professional, polite, firm and fair in your approach, it is likely the undesirables will quietly move on their own.  

It seems like they'd have every right to given the information hosted on there.My thoughts so far.

You can use powerpoint presentations and a host of other software programs to present the opportunity to them. 

A lot of collection agencies (at least around these parts) are actually law firms.

The virus doesn't survive well outside of a host.

This event is being hosted by Matt Hammack.