I don’t take application fees until I have reviewed an application and proceed to step 2, the background check. 

For far too long it was too easy for these places to pay for reviews, have employees rave about a company, etc. 

Check online reviews and test their responsiveness.

I have never had a bad review on that and not sure anyone else they take care of have. 

They collect the rent, deduct their fee and any other expenses they are allowed/required to pay on your behalf, then they distribute the remaining funds to you.It's critical that you review the property management agreement and understand what you agreed to.

I'm looking to list my property with them but read some horror reviews online from guests (but not hosts). 

And most investors don't want to hear this but you have to pay for a feasibility review even though this is just a prospective property.

NCREIF produced the first property level return index, the NCREIF Property Index (NPI), dating back to 1978 tocapture investment performance records that meet the rigorous scrutiny and review of major investors and academia.What is the NFI-ODCE?

I even have a friend who received an unfounded complaint from a neighbor (the neighbor was just against STRs, no events/parties that occurred), and now their property is temporarily banned/under review, regardless of them abiding by all rules.

Does anyone have any suggestions for areas with newer SF homes offering decent cash flow to review?