My thoughts are that by setting all the low cost/free marketing efforts in place it allows me to tweak my system for handling leads before I increase the volume. 

They should be able to handle the dog and then you can enter the apartment and shut the water off.

We had an attorney handle the title part.

To make a long story short, I would be in charge of raising all capital and handling the money.

When dealing with a fixed price quote, how do you handle issues when the contractor comes back and asks for more money?

However, I recommend creating a simple form so you're ready the next time this happens.Are you reducing the tenant's rent $200 for Christmas or letting them pay 15 days late in June without a penalty?

How would you handle this situation (besides better screening)?

Most rentals are not handled on the MLS.You'll want to checkZillowTruliaHotPadsCraigslistFacebook (specifically local for rent groups)You can also call on some yard signs

Doe's anyone have any suggestions on what steps to take to handle this matter?

You may have the means or it may be unreasonable I have no idea but here's my suggestions.1) Look at a duplex or multifamily where you live in the one unit and rent the others out to reduce you living expenses2) purchase a single family home that you can convert a section of the home to a suite with a separate entrance, rent out the suit and house hack3) If you're on the road a lot, perhaps as a consolation would be to have short term rentals (STR) like an airbnb situation while you're off on the road.