Most property management companies will offer to place tenants for you for half of the first month's rent, so going forward if you decide you don't want to do this yourself that is one task you can hire out.If you want to know more, this is a great article that explains how to decline an application and has a sample rejection letter:https://www.apartments.com/rental-manager/resources/screenin...

I signed up with one of the bigger companies managing rentals in the area and my property went on the market late December.

I can't see where you are but I'd love to have a conversation with you on questions that you should be asking, when interviewing a PM company.

My insurance company was threatening to cancel my policy due to the fire escape issue.

But the difference is with a REIT, you own shares in a company holding many assets, and they are liquid.

I am not local and need a good property management company to help me out.  

My PM company had a maid service come in for $130 for cleaning a 2 bed 1 ba.

Mortgage servicing company is not helpful to find this info.

It's the company in my signature.

Thanks,Pat I have a business different than REI and recently received an email from a company who are in the business of removing negative Google reviews.