He has a non-violent felony record, first time offender, great job, great guy... however ran background check and he came back approved.

If you're trying to get a conventional Fannie/Freddie loan asking another bank won't help.Your issue is they cut off at 45-50% max DTI and you are currently at 65%.You need to get rid of some debt, increase income, get a co-signer or look for non-conventional lenders.

(Applicants will sometimes give the number for their friend or family member who then poses as the person you think you're calling.)When calling the applicant's work, I'd recommend calling the main, publicized number for the business rather than the number the applicant provides. 

I am not interested in why a applicant does not qualify or to complicating my process by having to qualify a second non tenant, chase that individual for payment and possibly risk having to evict. 

I would recommend that any non-state sponsored forms be reviewed by a licensed and experienced real estate attorney. 

I didn’t have a mentor and learned the hard way of how to service the general public and real estate investors.Master how to service the general public and at the same time find a mentor who is licensed and does real estate investments in your state here on BiggerPockets.I wish you success!

I am interested in Non Performing Notes (NPN).

I want to avoid the competition from non investors as this it a desirable area. 

Charge an extra non-refundable deposit for pets.  

High speed internet, nest thermostat, ring doorbell, etc.