I'm hoping I can have a clean, smooth, and positive start to my investing career.

Not keeping the place as clean as we used to?

If they resign let them know you'd be happy to repaint the livingroom or a bedroom, or clean the carpet as a incentive to resign lease.

If tenants are leaving tell him you suggest he clean it up and list it to sell as a retail property as it loses money every month as a rental.If you were licensed you could offer your services to help and still be able to make money on the lead you found.

At this point they are just behind on payments, and that can get cleaned up pretty easily with credit repair.

“My first vision for Apple”– Steve Jobs reflecting upon the clean lines and open esthetics of the Eichler home in which he grew up.Joe Eichler designed many modern residences throughout Silicon Valley.

Take the house off the market clean it up and relist early next year.  

Regarding clean property title, liens etc.  

But what about things like insurance, garbage, water/sewer, turnover like painting, cleaning, etc?

A simple fix and flip; clean, landscape the yard (in Arizona that means spread some gravel), a couple new light fixtures, and touch-up paint.