Quite often, with the first contact, you are simply planting a seed.  

Current property management company has no response to my alarm upon seeing that new tenants have chopped down a (small) tree, removed established bushes in front of the porch, and removed landscaping plants in one area of the yard.

I am currently working third shift in a production plant and looking for my first investment.

Staging might help impress or catch a buyer or two, but in general the market conditions affect home price more than that fake bed does.If you want the most accurate price, get a good appraiser.

May I suggest the using a vinyl plant hard wood floor.  

My current job pays well as I️ work in a plant and do electrical/programming work.

Maybe squatters will adapt and file for a fake license in the owners name next.

My gut tells me that this is a fake lead and I should ignore it.

What's the best way to verify that the landlord listed on the application is really their past landlord and is not a fake landlord (applicant's friend, mother, or fake landlord reference service?)

Instead of removing the dirt, they planted it around the backyard.