The home has been broken into, the furnace is gone, the house is open to trespass and no one knows for weeks.2.

Dropping your rental rate and remaining competitive in the market, will attract the right tenant based on your initial application and screening requirements.

 @Patrick Pan not all states take such measures, and you can ask a reputable tenant screening company in your area how that works.  

I would recommend targeting 30 day minimum rentals (Most associations are 90+), allowing 12+ rentals per year (most allow 1-3), and no in-person screening for tenants required.

I suggest you enter private money goldmine in search botton at top right of the screen and read the previous posts....here is one that gives good perspective as well as a link to legitimate private lenders.http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/1488...

Larger cities offer better infrastructure, such as international airports, interstate highways, and a broader talent pool, making them attractive to businesses and tenants.Avoid Rent ControlRent control laws can hinder your ability to adjust rents to match inflation, limit tenant screening, and complicate evictions.

It's always important to screen anyone you are doing business with. 

Broken glass lantern by the pool, smoke detector hanging in hallway, broken ceiling light in the bedroom, face plates missing or missing screws.

We're trying to best screen the applicants and my original standard was 3x monthly income and credit scores of 650+.I recieved my first applicant which is a group of 3 (couple and their sister).

Like Broken Bow Lake in OK that are value-priced and ready to be rented.