The unit was already in excellent condition.

@Saeed Bayani Yes we use Velocity REO and send a contract photographer to walk the property.

If you´re not familiar with BRRRR, Bigger Pockets´ book on it by David Greene is an excellent resource. 

If you have 15 good photographs up then your price is too high.

This is excellent insight!  

Some aerial photographs will show pools in almost every yard and others can't be found.

That is excellent - your story sounds like one they should do on the BP - I would personally get a lot out of it, and I think a lot of California investors would too, who are looking at selling some appreciated property in California, and successfully branch out to better cash flowing areas. 

I was in an excellent area, but 3 blocks south of me was a night and day difference. 

, I would recommend an excel spreadsheet for anything the lender did not provide a template for. 

Check this one out on excellent bookkeeping.