Where you are not insulting their intelligence, but you're also making it clear that you are sitting there with the intention of making a profit, and hoping that what you offer will also be something that they will be comfortable with.Most people can smell a hard-sell or a "technique" from a mile away.I've never done what you're doing, but I can be empathetic with the people you would be approaching. 

Loan Officer is fortunately responsive (initial person I got in touch with to start the process), Loan Processor although empathetic, is almost unreachable.

I explain all this in a very kind and empathetic way,  by telling them that I know that it won’t be an issue for them but because of an experience I had where I didn’t do this, and it ended up costing a lot of money and time, I learned to start the process right away. 

It's fine to be empathetic in certain situations, but a "few months" could easily be forever.

@Tom KaserThis might sound harsh, and I am empathetic to your tenant's situation, but...it is your tenants situation.

I explained that’s not how it works, was empathetic, and asked to contact her employer she listed on the lease to verify she lost her job and I would work with her.

Trying to be empathetic has always worked better for me than threatening somebody.

In your situation I’d probably be empathetic and say I’m sorry that this occurred, then explain to them there is nothing wrong with the electrical system in the house but rather it was the transformer which belongs to the electric utility that malfunctioned, then offer to give them the contact info for the utility in case they want to call them and ask for a new TV from them (good luck with that).

As a person with friends on the street it made me empathetic to the energy and dynamic of the neighborhood.

There could be costs there to consider and if tenants might be uncooperative regarding letting contractors fix things that can't be put off until they move.If they're tenants who pay their rent every month, I found most tenants aren't difficult to deal with as long as you are truly empathetic to their needs as a tenant.