The investors have been very difficult to work with from the very beginning with grinding us down on our prices to a very very slim profit margin (almost making the job not worth taking but we got so far in deep we accepted any way).We originally asked for a 50% deposit prior to work starting as we have never worked with this particular investor and then we would collect the remaining balance once work has been completed.They had two other bids but decided to go with us because of the quality of our work as showcased in the portfolio we presented to them.Well, they managed to get us down to 25% of deposit (initially they asked for 10%).

I did some things right with that first rental (scheduling an open house instead of individual appointments, for example, and screening applicants) but there's definitely room for improvement.

When it comes to screening prospective tenants for income, do folks rely on a service for this or by calling on the phone?

I'm working on a 57 acre, 220 lot subdivision, looking for small apartment investors and buildings (both buyers and sellers) and still working on providing land for quality builders (cause that is what I've always done). 

Take a look at hewitt, or woodway and where they rank for safety and quality of life.

What's the point of screening and vetting tenants if they can just slip in once their family qualifies?

I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for someone who does quality work at a reasonable price. 

Escrow people are a certain mindset with a very different set of requirements and I have seen revolving doors at companies that don't have every single aspect perfect for that person, and you cant keep everyone happy, all the time, so you will always struggle finding this perfect balance that will keep you (as the owner) , your customers, and your employees happy.Finding quality escrow people who are competent and give customer service is VERY hard, I have been on the recruiting end as well for over 5 years, but if you do find them, you will not be able to keep them with discounted escrow rates.

Again, on the surface it appears that breaking into the MFR market would be expensive and quality deals would be very limited.

I'm definitely not concerned with giving them quality service since this will be my primary market, I was more concerned that the relocation company would have the final say of who they could use as an agent.