You will be surprised how much you can learn just by meeting the potential tenants.As for the advertising, you can do Zillow with syndications so you post it once, and it will be on Zillow, Trulia and Hotpads (Those are the onces personally get the most leads).You can also get it listed on MLS (i usually just list the more expensive one there a let other realtors show my properties).

I'm surprised more investors are not doing this. 

It's pretty rare that I'm caught by surprise during a move-out inspection.

You would be surprised how many people do not know their bank account numbers, etc. 

Don't be surprised if the same places keep moving.

I've been surprised of what i've learned by doing this.

It didn't seem like a time that would be in demand (mid-week, not a holiday, etc.) and I was surprised there weren't more options, seems like there is a demand for more VR there.

When I was at home back in March or January I was so surprise how many students and parents were walking their children home from school. 

Being my first property I can expect to have surprises and not having deadlines to make for financing, relieves a lot of stress.

@Patti Robertson You would be surprised.