That means they don't know how to handle money wisely. 

if you are not using a contractor, how do you handle such a massive job with very little time to manage the project?

There are definitely some great posts and blogs regarding doing business remotely so I would recommend poking around to get a handle on some useful practices.Good luck!

; free payments, even, and tenants can run their own background and credit checks (they pay the fee there instead of paying application fee to you and then you pay for the checks and have to handle social security numbers, etc.).

It's like the listing agents don't think outside realtors can handle the complexities or they want the double fee.  

Minneapolis Landlords, I'm looking for a person or company to handle emergency repairs.

Handle these issues on a case by case basis don't just default to playing the part of a faceless corporate entity with "policies" that you follow.

But if he's correct that you do have the property in an LLC and you need a lawyer anyway, then the lawyer can handle everything.If your property is not in an LLC and you decide to file for eviction on your own, you can request, in eviction court, the unpaid rent be added to the amount owed you.But you have learned a valuable lesson here. 

The agent told me that most deals of this type can be handled without a lawyer by using the title company.

Don't know about NY but here in Texas the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's office handles tenant complaints.