hmm tough one hun. i agree with pandora, i really wouldnt go the DoH route, to risky, u dont know what condition ur house will be in at the end of it (ACA horror stories come to mind! eek!)
as for the friend, i wouldnt do that either, ppl tend to take advantage of situations even though u think they wont, ei oh i dont have rent this week i'll give it to u next week....next week...heres part will have the rest next week IYKWIM?

if it were me i'd rent it through the real estate, atleast that way they HAVE to pay rent, and if they dont u can kick them out and u can screen potential tenants and get the weekly rate ur after