A professional manager will:1) Limit the risk of lawsuits and risk on tenant safety2) Perform home turns between tenants quicker than you can3) Screen tenants with advanced knowledge on Fair Housing Laws, identity theft, and filtering false references4) Be able to monitor and handle scams5) Provide you with the quickest eviction process if needed6) Have problem solving skills, so that most days you don't even know there was an issue because it resolved with little or no involvement from you.7) Have resources that include eviction attorney, repairs, cleaners, appliance repair, screening companies, mortgage properties, emergency line coverage. 

It would have been much cleaner and safer for them.With that being said; you need to figure out what strategy you want to pursue and then you need to start educating yourself.

Naturally there are established areas that are a little nicer, typically a little cleaner, and from what I can tell appreciation wise aren't growing as fast as the up and coming, typically less clean areas.

Make sure you are all clear on expectations, decisions, and what happens if the project loses money.For this deal specifically, if it's just a one off with this family member, it might be cleaner to let them keep their $10K and just throw them a finders fee.

If the tenant cleans up and it is not satisfactory, the landlord needs to clean up the house again by professional cleaner.

Only way it works is if you have a really great house cleaner who over communicates with you.

Trying to find more information regarding property management company vs working directly with cleaners, landscapers, etc and any other local nuances to be aware of from seasoned investors. 

Does anyone have any recommendations for a great cleaner and/or handyman?

Would have been a lot cleaner and faster.

In addition I also had to hire cleaners for like major cleaning , since the place that was handed to my tenants was super clean, and had bbq polished clean , yet I received it unclean, unwashed, technically I should be legally able to charge them for that, since the condition i received is not the same.