While there is tons of money to be made in our Seattle market, it's a fairly shark-infested market when it comes to cash offers and finding value. 

Some optional items from a LTR lease now become requirement: you have to own the utility account, definitely have contractors to maintain yard, pest control, periodic soft wash the exterior, pool/hot tub (only speaking from FL, or any other property routine maintenance in other region). 

Call pest control?

That said, ant baits can be effective, depending on the infestation.

My experience with all of our properties on what tenants will and won't pay for:Will: prime location; maximum square footage possible for the price range; an extra bathroom; good storage; no carpeting; accepting pets; fenced-in yard; central HVAC; main-floor W&D hookups.Won't: fancy appliances; upgraded counters; jacuzzi tubs; fancy outdoor spaces; throw-ins (lawn care, pest control, etc); fancy floors; fancy window treatments; Our tenants have consistently told us that they value the most space per dollar that they can get, in the best location, with basic amenities more than anything else.   

However, if the furniture is infested, you probably need to replace affected mattresses and couches.

The possibilities are endless… Anything from guests leaving a bunch of lights on, to leaving the oven on, to leaving food out on the counter to rot and attract pests…Just wondering how people deal with this situation where the guests check out and the cleaners can’t go over there for a couple of days?

By poor condition I mean, unhealthy, dying, rotting, infested, damaged, etc not just ugly or unkempt.

Plumbing could have broken pipes, sewage could be cracked, electrical box could be shot, pests would be a huge problem in my guess.

Have quarterly pest inspections.