Since no one else from NC chimed in, I'd say one option not yet discussed is to use a Deposit Only Card that your tenant can use.

I'm certainly trying to avoid a pissing match or turning it into a bad situation, especially since there's still work to be done to get the house finished.I live in California, and the project is in North Carolina, where I have some family.  

From my experience their information is qualityI am originally from Pomona, CA and relocated here to NC from Long Beach CA.  

What do you guys think of the markets in NC and SC?

Lesson learned.In NC we don't have to rewinterize until Oct.

I hope to post some photos when they are done.How is the market in NC? 

If you can get a 4 unit, live in 1 and rent out the other 3 in the Charlotte NC you would be ahead of the game.  

I'm from Raleigh, NC.

In North Carolina you MUST use a closing attorney on the sale/transaction of real estate.

Don't know much about Whittier NC but it seems to be in the middle of nowhere.