Are the tenants making stuff up or is there something defective when you get there.

unfortunately no, when my office purchased 3000 home depot was good about replacing the defective ones.

Was there any issues or defects with the shower handle before it was broken? 

They built a ton of "condo quality" apartments here in Denver to get around the construction defects law.

If you are paying the subs directly, you could be seen as the builder of record and subject to construction defects laws which in Colorado can be onerous.  

Documents prepared for the HOA or its directors and/or officers acting in their official capacity, such as inspection reports, studies, bids or proposals for repair or replacement of any actual or suspected material defects in the structural integrity or safety of the Property, and its limited or common areas.H.

So could some level of "light fixture replacement, door repair/replace, door jamb repair, tile replace, electric baseboard repair/replace" - if you cannot PROVE they weren't like this (or otherwise defective) from the start.And if the person had moved out prior to closing, leaving the unit in the exact same condition, would you have expected / required the seller to remedy these matters, or lower the price / credit you for the expense?

This is a very common disclaimer on auction properties and there is no need to worry Title insurance is available and the special warranty deed is used by banks on foreclosures a simply states that there is no title defects since they acquired the property.  

First, NJ is a full disclosure state, with only a very few exceptions, an agent MUST disclose all known defects about the actual property, whether hidden or not to the naked eye. 

Does it last, hide defects in structure unforeseen even from inspection, etc.