She improved the houses and now indicates that she wants to sell them off, as the idea was more promising than the investment. 

Many CPAs do not do not provide this service at their practice so that may give you an indication on what it takes to do it correctly. 

None of those would be 100% deal breakers for me.Credit score is an indicator of risk, but I like to look at the report details to see how they use credit. 

I have been looking at factors that affect where I would like to live (weather, politics, taxes, night life, etc.) but I am guessing that these don't necessarily indicate a good financial investment.

Analyze local market trends, rental demand, and economic indicators to pinpoint growth potential, and reach out to local investors / RE professionals in your area.

@Austin Wood Did you have something in your application or marketing material that indicated you did not allow smokers? 

Nothing to indicate it got sold... couldn't get customers for that either?

An LA times article indicates that it is more pervasive and less restrictive than what is already currently available.

The property card indicates 1,485 and has never been changed from the original state it was built in.

A tenant complaining online might indicate that the property manager handled them appropriately, so be sure to ask the manager for their side of the story.7.