Was this a red flag?  

Or red flags I should I look out for should I make it to the inspection period?

I am 26, and live in San Diego, CA with my amazing wife and a great big red Golden Retriever named Cooper. 

Does anyone see any red flags or things we should be considering with this scenario?

Look at the contractor's own contracts, if he or she does not have their own contracts then they are not truly serious about their business and is a red flag to me.If you do want to take the risk of using a cheap general contractor or using cheap subcontractors then I would develop your own master agreement for your contractors and have them sign it in order to let them know what the standard is.

If they do not have any then they are not that serious about their business and this is a huge red flag for me personally.

I have potential tenants who seem very serious on moving in as soon as they can, but there are a few red flags and I'd like to know what other landlords would do in this situation. 

Would this be to much red tape for a newbie?

Where there any red flags on their application?

I've never had to evict anyone and this guy will likely be my first eviction - sad a 40 plus year old man is a bold faced liar.