If they are established at all in the property your only 2 options are to convince them to leave peacefully (maybe persuaded by cash for keys) or start going through the eviction process.

I want to know what basic things to look for and what should concern me about the property while doing this initial walkthrough.

The cash on cash return is much more unpredictable with gas being included, and this is concerning for me.I am wondering how its worked out for other landlords who do any of the above I mentioned and if so, have you gotten any push back from current or even prospective tenants? 

And during the crash Portland is better than most desert areas because you don't have massive inventoryand massive amounts of construction workers like those areas.. that's why the desert gets hammered new construction slows way down and half your work force leaves and there goes your renters.. 

I have concerns when a potential wholesaler indicates they have minimal capital.  

I want to leave a legacy of philanthropy. 

I see some pretty bad reviews and a little concerned whether to purchase/finance with them or seek my own financing 

My biggest concern here is the trunk duct in the attic being rotted out but will asses during inspection time.

However, my underlying concern has always been the horror stories of how these rental rockstars 'lost everything' during the recent crash. 

I would be more concerned about clean title in this scenario than seeking to utilize a self-directed IRA... and am surprised that this issue was not first addressed by other respondents... for example, a defaulted mortgage based on "assignments" created by MERS "Vice Presidents" litter land records in every courthouse in America.