When to approve tenants?

[Conor Neville]

Hi all, first time landlord here and I had a quick question on the approval process for potential tenants. I have my property up on Zillow and have had quite a few applications. I have been waiting until I meet them and let them tour the property before I consider approving them, but I had one really good applicant get away because she told me she was approved elsewhere. Should I be approving really good applicants and then tour/meet them before making a final decision to rent to them? In other words, is “approving” their application a commitment to rent to them, or just to allow them to move forward in the process? Thank you!