The size of the tank matters, find out how many gallons it could hold and how full it is.

I'm pretty inexpensive (about half compared to typical small firms) because I also work full time as an attorney, and merely practice on the side to assist with my real estate deals and pay down law school debt (which is mortgage-sized), but I'm also very good (graduated with honors, guest lecturer, published papers, etc). 

I started charging an application fee for the screening service too, but I would tell the applicants that if they took the apartment that I would apply it to their security deposit. 

I live in VA.Enter Bigger Pockets: I literally stumbled on the BP site a few months ago and though I want to get into the REI game, she is actually in it, so I told her to check out the website and that she could fill the apartment herself using info we learn from BP, and I could help her, remotely, from VA.What I have done: I have followed all of the suggestions regarding tenant screening and had two showings to qualified parties, neither of whom followed through with process.  

Provide a FREE flat screen tv set already installed on the wall in the living room.

Also it depends on the size of the project you are looking into doing.  

Might it not be a good time to sell anyway (down-size, buy a relative dump or those sort of options)?

FYI the "mismatch" sized unit thing is both not uncommon and not a very large problem.

Maybe having high screening standards but a lower security deposit and not collecting last month's rent up front is enough insurance for you.Up your marketing game.  

When I first started, I wish I knew to to screen tenant and creating a lease agreement.