I bought my first house with zero research on numbers, market etc. after six months, 2008 arrived and I rented it.

Definitely reach out to the local community when you arrive from TX.

My renters usually don't have much control over when they arrive and when someone tells them it's time to leave. 

. :)  You decided that, with a few more paragraphs, you will arrive to understanding how it works.

You might also want to stay at one just to see how it all works.We've stayed at a few and for toilets, they either used a port-o-john, and had a commercial service come and empty it before we arrived or a composting toilet. 

If it's mail away check, and it arrives late, you can just not accept it late.So...I would tell your tenant to set that up, but before you do that, if you do not have an LLC, you will have to give them your bank account and routing numbers...so don't do it unless they've proven themselves to be a good tenant and you trust them.Most of my tenants direct deposit, but they set that up with their bank.  

I also send them information as to how I arrived at that number.

When you arrive in Seattle definitely reach out, happy to grab a coffee or beer with you sometime and chat more. 

LOLZ.I see the God has arrived in this thread to answer OPs prayers in the form of @Brian Hall!

It has now been over a year and rent has arrived on time every month.