It was denied a new appraisal and now I must bridge the appraisal or find a new lender.

If they suspect you are not getting all the rent, they may use it as an excuse to deny you the loan.Smartest way is to collect ALL the rent so it's deposited in your account.

Avoid exotic, hard to care for plant materials, or plants that are highly susceptible to disease and/or insects.Consider elements of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design CPTED.... google it to learn more.Here's an excerpt from our rental agreement, you may find helpful:LANDSCAPING/YARD CARE.Regular landscaping/yard care (mowing, edging, trimming, fertilizer, weed control) will be provided by _______________________.For all Tenants:a.Tenant agrees to keep yards, walkways, patios and decks clear and to keep premises free of junk and debris.b.Tenant accepts liability for all landscape damage and/or replacement of such, if caused by neglect, abuse or lack of water.c.Tenant may plant the beds adjacent to their dwelling to their liking, but only with those plants that are of appropriate size and type for the beds.All plants brought or caused to be brought to the property by Tenant will be cared for by Tenant.d.Tenant agrees not to cut or prune trees, hedges and shrubs.This will be Landlord’s responsibility.e.Tenant agrees to properly dispose of all plant debris and agrees to not leave such on the property.f.Landlord will consider special Tenant requests for planting and removal of plants, shrubbery and trees, but reserves the right to determine the make-up of the landscaping.For Tenants of single family homes only: a.Tenant agrees to mow, water, and keep the grass, lawn, flowers and shrubbery thereon in good order and condition, applying fertilizers and weed retardant as needed. b.If there is a failure of Tenant to keep the landscaping in good order and to follow these guidelines, Landlord reserves the right to hire a landscaping service at Tenant’s expense (after a 10-day notice to perform covenant).c.Landlord reserves the right to restore the landscaping to its initial condition, as it was at the time Tenant began occupancy, or if improved during Tenant’s occupancy, to the level of such improvement.

Honestly, it's probably just more frustrating that I failed in the house hunt, and feels like I bottomed out by getting denied on renting one of the cheapest, no-frills places in town.

or would it be denied on the skepticism that it may be a gift from family, outstanding loan, etc?

Or worse, that the homeowner thinks they are covered, but the carrier denies the claim because it found out the homeowner was operating a STR?

Anyone who does not communicate what they are doing with their property essentially breaches their insurance contract which gives the insurance carrier the right to deny a claim.  

They deliberately abusing landlords' compassion and taking advantage of their kindness.

Refrigerators are hard to break unless you are specifically abusing them - we don't include ice makers, which are the main point of failure.

She explained to us that her friend was in an abusive relationship and came there to avoid being out on the street because... blah blah... not to be insensitive but she was lying her story contradicted its self.