If this means cleaning a unit to get it ready to rent or cold calling for potential deals that is more than fine with me.

Same goes for air filters that are not routinely replaced. 

I have spent most of my life moving routinely, and plan to do so for the rest of my life.

for selling/flipping I'd leave the trees,  But for buy and hold trees on the property can be future maintenance, like gutter cleaning, or damage like trees falling on house.

I have rarely even cleaned any of the houses I have sold to investors.

I'm not aware of any other place in North America where appreciation is tax-advantaged like it is in California, and I routinely read out-of-state horror stories about "30% appreciation = tax bill went up 30%."

In particular is where to check for a clean title or title search without paying $$ to do a title search?

@Gail, yes, i have documentation(pics) of all the repainting, cleaning and small repairs that need to be done. 

However, his lot has a pile of debris on it and he has to pay for clean-up.

I used to be like "Hey honey you want to come over and help me paint and then clean this house to get it ready for a showing?