There are plenty of articles on screening real estate agents, so read them before you reach out.

So the hardest part is doing a good screening and the better your property is the easier the screening will be. 

The key is always good screening.

Called the number, got an automated message, got a call back and was asked some pre-screening questions. 

The biggest mistake I see with new investors managing rental properties is tenant screening.

Sooner or later, I'm sure a series of challenges in your A-class property will come up, too, and landlording there will look a lot less like passive investing, but in C-class properties, unless you're completely on top of screening and maintenance, it happens frequently.If what you want is to have a part-time job, of course you should invest in C-class properties. but if your goal is to be bothered by your properties as little as possible and hand off as much of the management and maintenance aspects as you can, you should most certainly not invest in C-class properties.

Tenant screening and property selection are crucial.A solid performing property can be purchased for 40-50k, and rent for 600-700 per month.

From our little bit of experience we found we can hold market rent + electric at our other properties we own.Based on the small amount of expirence I have, I am inclined to make an offer to the seller as such:Contingent on:1)All deferred maintenance completed or a $10,000 sellers credit directly for repairs and maintenance2)All units move in ready condition per buyer standardsIf sold at current (100%) occupancy we offer $285,000If sold at 50% tenant vancancy we offer $300,000If sold at 100% tenant vacancy we offer $315,000OR 100% sellers financing with a purchase price of $330,000You can see it is counter intuitive to pay more for a non performing asset, however we save eviction costs/ time while being in a strong position to advertise and fill the deal with properly screened tenants locked into our lease, paying at our desired terms.

Most applicants can be pre-screened by asking our realtor about them because their families have lived in the town for generations, and they know. 

The landlords I know of from Hawaii always listed the property on Craigslist, which worked out great since they did a good job of screening tenants.