It's obvious that a home built in recent years is a good thing because it was built according to updated codes - but I've learnt that because labor costs have been so high developers have skimped on using quality materials (I'm in WA state).Is there a year in which homes were built that you might consider a 'sweet spot' year or is latest always the greatest?

., but since they have to pay the bond holders for their debt before anyone else they skimp on infrastructure and everything else. 

Don't skimp on insurance.

But look at the Podcast and use the calculators and do not skimp on the networking.

I'm not skimping on inspectors I've hired a general inspector, sewer, radon and dry rot reports to start.

It will be tempting to skimp on house quality in most markets as 30k doesnt go too far unless its an fha or va loan where you could house hack in which case things can be diffetent but Im assuming this is an investment property.Please update as you progress with things.

I started buying my own turnkeys almost 9 years ago, and have worked with turnkey investors ever since, and literally the biggest thing I see people getting in trouble with (myself included) is skimping on the due diligence.

Do not skimp on that. 

Sometimes the groups that come are all adults and don't use the bunk room so it takes less time to get squared away.I agree with everyone saying not to skimp on cleaning.

Don't skimp on this.