You don't have any way of knowing what condition they got the unit in, unless there's some good documentation from the previous owner (rarely is there), and smoking takes repainting, sometimes new carpet, ozone machines, and deep cleaning of everything to get the smell out so you probably don't have enough deposit to get it done.

About the only thing we pay other people to do is some HVAC, septic tank pumping and sewer work if it requires deep digging.

This street is lined with some of the most expensive property values in the state but the street is lined with miles and miles of multi-unit apts which go a few blocks deep.

Yes you can still find off market deals if you clearly define your target and dig deep enough. 

They handle the day to day and relieve alot of the headaches that may happen.

So, I want to include a higher cleaning standard, like “professionally cleaned” or “deep cleaned.”

I always give my buyers a thorough deep-dive into purchasing their first house-hack of investment property along with understanding the general home buying process. 

Sometimes 5 feet on a yard could get you in some deep crap!!!!

But it is the deep end of the 1031 exchange world called a reverse or improvement exchange. 

After reading the book above I would connect with a mortgage broker that has a DEEP understanding of investment properties, (it should be their primary business and they should own some).