Your rate of return relative to what you could get on cash in many, many other markets will be terrible in Costa Mesa.

Don't forget you may have to post 2 months in advance because military is always looking in advance.There are some tenant screening services that do not cost a whole lot maybe $15-$20.

@Joe Cummings  is correct it does cost a little more depending on the insuring company.  

I'd contact the Contra Costa County Public Administrator's office: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/962/Public-Administrator  You might need them to take over and look for a will among the belongings, etc. 

Yes it may cost a few hundred dollars but so will a lawyer. it just depends on how you want to spend the few hundred dollars.

Plumbing quotes always cost a lot relative to the work (in 99 percent cases).

Just paintin' er white.My vote is repaint it.Coming from the staining/sealing world, stripping it will not get it all and be a terrible mess and cost a fortune.

Roofs, kitchens, hardscape, plumbing, electrical, foundations, bathrooms, cost a lot more than water heaters.  

The rehab stuff you listed will cost a lot more than $15k.

However, as I was looking at them I had someone looking at them with me online saying no don't buy those 4 br's  because you won't be able to rent it out because nobody wants to "rent" a 4 bedroom place in Contra Costa County....they want to "buy" 4bedroom places.