If I were you, I'd outline what my expectations are with move-in date/property upkeep/when to expect inspections and let them know I can accept their application if they agree to start paying rent and have utilities in their name by X date, regardless of when they actually choose to move in.Also, about the application fee: If they qualify but don't agree to your terms/decline your offer for tenancy, you are not obligated to refund this, especially if you've already completed your tenant screening/background check. 

I have not researched it, but I would question why it won't hold what can't be more than a few lbs of weight.

Some receive a government check and can't afford and apartment, some have temporary jobs with unstable income, some can't get utilities due to past mistakes or can't pay the deposit, some can't afford to furnish apartments, and some don't want the cost of monthly upkeep of a house ie lawn care.

That would have added benefits such as depreciation and upkeep deductions.

But unless you know how to roof this is going to cost you your weight in gold.

He/she will be worth their weight in gold over the years and if your finances are currently very simple, you will not be paying them for very much of their time to actually DO your taxes when it comes down to filling out the paperwork.Get some word-of-mouth recommendations from local real estate investors on who's good, then drop by their office to see if you like each other in a quick interview/intro.Spend your time on the basics of managing your general business and finding deals and don't try to play catchup with accountants and attorneys so you can go around them with pieces of software....the pros may bill three figures an hour but they should find you much more than that in savings and business advice - so in the end, their hourly rate doesn't really matter much at all.

Lots of rules, regulations, upkeep and operational costs.

Where do a majority of upkeep cost go?

In my area I can get great pictures for $125 worth their weight in gold.6) Someone is going to need to go through all of your paperwork and ensure you have all of the addenda specific to where you are.

@Jered Sturm I was a user for the contractor veraion of qb, didn't like the heavy weight of the program, so I switch to a simplier qb, all i needed was the "class" feature of it, i use this to separate income on my jobs.