If you have a $5k judgement, and you can get a guaranteed grand or two from an agency, that's not a bad deal *and* you have the satisfaction of knowing they will hound this person from here to eternity.  

I'm personally not a fan of 3/1s for MTR.

It might make more sense to own the property and lease it out to an organization that does it and you could do a percentage lease rather than a flat monthly fee.It isn't for me but I'm more of a passive person.

I don’t plan to use the MIL for personal use. 

We used to manage STR but they very time consuming and the staff hates them.

An exception may be someone with a VERY strong personal financial statement. 

I just got back from deployment about a month ago and have focused a lot of my spare time on catching up on personal matters and setting up my business.

The fee gets you listing maintenance, a professional person available around the clock to communicate with your guests and monthly/end of year reporting.

I have nothing against smokers personally, but do not want that smell to be imprinted on my property, long after they are gone. 

Are you a person who can connect and teach starters ?