Many people advocate pre-screening or even requiring tenants to fill out full applications before doing a showing, but that can be off-putting.

Income Source: self-employed in construction for the previous 5 yearsGross monthly income (optional): $6000Monthly debt obligations appearing on credit report, plus (if applicable) personal rent and alimony/child support/etc: $770FICO: ExcellentCredit issues: NoneAdditional details:Just looking for some input and constructive criticism on my plan. 

If you have your property listed for a certain amount and get section 8 applicants that have vouchers that pay for more than that, if you decide to go with a section 8 tenant can you then raise the rent before they were to move in?

I'm thinking about offering a lease to an applicant using a strategy done by a local PM company in my area. 

Hello, I sent in an application for Section 8 approval on a Single Family Home.

If that is what you want, OK, but in my opinion, it's your ***(et) so you certainly have the right to review tenant applications.

. - Include a copy of the veteran’s application for retirement submitted to his or her employer. • Carefully consider the applicant’s income after retirement. - If retirement income alone is insufficient, obtain firm commitments from an employer that meet the usual stability of income requirements.

Lots of good information in there that might be applicable for you. 

You cannot use a HELOC as liquid reserves since it's a open end liability.You would be better off taking cash out of a property and securing it into an account checking/savings and allowing it to be "seasoned" for 3-4 months prior to putting in the application. 

No money, no lease,...no lease, no keys,...no keys, not tenant,...no tenant, property is still up for lease,...and I'm still taking applications.