investor - not the crazy type to PG loans and such, just slow and steady, and i work with some other investors on different projects in construction and websites.i consider myself more of an entrepreneur, then just a real estate "investor".and i'm also getting my real estate sales license.

Basically you sign up for a time slot during an open house so you will have the home to yourself. 

Then I always have a 10-20% rate of people who don't show up to our scheduled time (which is just a time slot within an hour I create...open house style), and then from whatever is remaining, some people don't make the cut because of minimum requirements.I ran it like you with the paper app and the link and stuff, but there is an application already on Zillow they can fill-out and it does the work.

Try and get them to docusign/authentisign or notarize or produce a POF or know how to do an after inspection request (vs e-mailing the whole 52 pg report)  or complete a disclosure or what have you is a pain. 99% of solo buyers on the street suck and your seller and LA will know that. 

Many homes in the Seattle area are getting 50-60 offers and buyers are getting sweet-talked into paying $300k+ above asking price and waiving all contingencies after spending a 15 minute time window at the house, because all the slots to view the home get booked up and there isn't an opportunity to even do a pre-inspection even if the buyer wanted to. 

Getting a deposit also stops a customer from backing out , once the contract is signed I schedule a slot , order materials , get permits .