Having someone go through the property every six months is vital to avoid deferred maintenance and to ensure that the tenants are following the rules set forth in the lease.

I also write in the lease if the property is not habitable due things like fire the lease cancels (not sure you can do that in California). 

The owner provided linens, kitchen utensils, and various other items to make the property fully habitable for occupants.

Here, the projected returns based on equity multiples are vital.

There are a lot of "fakers" in the real estate sales and property management industries, so, doing your due diligence is absolutely vital.

The secret of getting ahead, is getting started.It is vital you connect with a realtor anywhere in the United States, who will take the time to understand your desired type of property and areas of the market you have been looking in.Learn about the good, bad, and ugly regarding distressed properties, whether due to  property condition or the chain of title.

Real estate can be an excellent investment, but ensuring you can comfortably manage the payments is vital, even if you encounter negative cash flow periods.

Knowing when and how you plan to sell or transition out of the properties is vital for long-term planning.It's wonderful that you and your wife are excited about this new venture.

If there was a demand from the city for "relocation fees", that sounds like they are saying the unit is not habitable and they are removing the tenant / terminating the lease.

Previous Landlord:  Speaking with previous landlords can provide insights into the individuals rental history, payment habits, and overall behavior as a tenant.