So, communication and assignment issues, as well as not being able to explain the maintenance issues and the required work.3) Proper documentation and quality of work issues.

And unlike some Midwest markets this positive cash flow is such that it includes realistic sustained expenses.How is this possible when west coast markets have poor initial cash flow?  

As others have stated, your fit & finish goals should be guided by whether you plan to:1) Rent: tenants don't always take care of a property, so you want to use lower-grade materials and workmanship.2) Flip: higher quality on workmanship and materials is usually required.Regardless, you always want to "Maintain to the Neighborhood".

Are their listings detailed with good-quality photos?

Investment quality is all that matters as you build the foundation for your track record.

If so, how do you trust you're getting a quality tenant that is safe?

If the lack of cash was due to poor operational management, I would not give them a dime more.

My rule of thumb is the more details you include about the property the more quality leads that you obtain.

To reiterate, I don't need huge profit margins off these and I do want to offer quality rentals but they do need to make sense.  

you not on one of the major listing sites you are missing a lot of revenue potential Penny wise dollar poor