Applications were being lost, or the website wasn't permitting tenants to fill them out.

You will be asked to disclose this during the application process, and not doing so is concealing a debt and would be fraud. 

.: The applicant needs a social security number or an individual tax ID number (ITIN).

Good luck with a perfectly complete application that makes it by them on the first pass!

Is your DSCR ratio greater than 1-meaning are you cash flowing (according to the lender's criteria of mortgage, property taxes and insurance (and HOA) if applicable).

Additionally, I expect applicants to follow instructions in the advertisement and application, to make and keep appointments, to show up on time for appointments, dress and behave appropriately at appointments, and in general demonstrate throughout the process that they are someone that is easy and pleasant to do business with.

Legitimate lenders may charge a small application fee (around $250) to verify you’re serious, but if someone’s asking for thousands with no real intention of closing, that’s a huge red flag.On a more positive note, there are creative financing approaches out there.

A HELOC on your duplex or home offers flexible, low-interest financing ideal for BRRRR, with potential tax-deductible interest if used for property expenses.

I've got a long term tenant lined up & the unit is a non smoking unit, which the applicant is aware & fine with for indoor.

Quote from @Teekap Pate: Hello, I have my first tenant application for my investment property come in.