I know some landlords rotate locks but personally, I'm not comfortable with that as a secure option.

If some applicants fall below your requirements, then everyone would be considered "conditional," you can raise the security deposit to mitigate your risk of someone breaking up or defaulting. 

I usually generate at least 50-60 inquiries which thin down to a handful that actually want a showing and get 1-2 solid applications to correspond after the showings.

Pros to my current position: Secure, w2, pay is above average, benefits are stellar, schedule is somewhat flexible (can leave if I need to without penalty; vacation when I want - utilizing banked time on both), 3 miles from home, and hopefully a pension in 17 years. 

I am surprised that my lender is asking me to access Social Security Records and a tax transcript.

I think they get a sense of security when booking through one of them.  

I'm going to look into those, I've never heard of them before but always interesting to see what security and tools are out there. appreciate it!

An STR will look every bit as good as it did when it started - because it has to.Not only that but it is much easier for property managers to get repairs reimbursed when a guest damages something as an STR as opposed to when a long term renter moves out and outside of the security deposit, good luck. 

I can probably secure it for around 60k, and it's probably worth about 250k after renovation.

Your current Lease and payment terms are recognized until [DATE]; however, moving forward, please send all payments, maintenance requests, and correspondence to the address listed at the top of this letter.If you are currently using an automatic draft, cash deposit, or other form of payment to pay for your residency, please contact your financial institution immediately so as to avoid any late fees and/or eviction notices.I have included with this letter a Tenant Update Form for you to fill out.