As soon as we get a new booking, our software notifies our cleaner so that he can put it on his schedule.

The second one, opening in a couple months will have much greater occupancy and will require that I hire a cleaner.

They’re always told the cleaner and better smelling it is the less likely another showing will be required blah blah.

Most of the property mgmt companies in my area were/are doing this.Now that I have 2 units, I include linens and towels and add a few extra bucks to the cleaning fee to cover cleaner's expenses of washing at laundromat or at her own home, usually $5/ load.

You only need to hire a good and reliable cleaner and that will take care of 90% of the hard manual labor of running a STR business. 

Within the first month someone stole my vacuum cleaner.

Consider also hiring a cleaner to come through once a month paid by you, rather than the guest, so you have eyes to see how the property is and also keeps the place top notch. 

I actually did an ozone machine first, then removed carpet and pad, treated the floor with special enzyme cleaner.

I think its cleaner if I get the flooring complete and put cabinets on it but I have never worked with vinyl planks before.

Alot of these people are tired mosttly frustrated, and have nothing to lose...That one old guy who sits in his recliner seat all day watching Jerry Springer has nothing to do all day, and hes the one that will take you tot he cleaners...Its along the same line as predatory sales tactics.My advice would be to stay away from forclosures completely, unless you have some who is qualified (like a lawyer, or forclosure specialist ect...) to break the ice for you, then bring you in as a wholesaler...But even thats scary...There is tons of different type oof leads to market too...