How do you screen prospects?

If you were to concentrate on learning everything there is to know it could conceivably take 6 months to a year to consume along with properly researching your market.Learn your market, finances, expenses, cash flow, tennat screening, PM screening, state landlord tenant laws, etc. etc.You are at stage 1 in a 100 stage learning process, slow down.

Seven days later we were able to return (no power until the next day), fortunate enough to a house that had not been broken into for a 3rd time – although there really wasn’t much left to steal!

I've also seen where a main beam has broken and is setting directly on the dirt under the house, rotting away.  

The house hadn't been painted in 10+ years so rotted masonite siding was replaced where needed, exterior paint, replaced broken windows, fixed active plumbing leaks, new HW heater, and added a deck.

Are they screening tenants, what’s the rules on that?

Was there anything that stood out as a red flag (given hindsight) during booking/screening that could potentially help prevent the same problem from happening again?

I have a triplex in a c-d area (rent 700 for a 2/1) and I was wondering how others are screening tenants.  

Bought 4 light fixtures and 2 had glasses broken. grrrr.

If you decide to go that path then breaking what's not broken might not be the best plan.