Tub finish, outlet covers, deadbolts, clean up yard, post owner sign on fence, etc. etc.

You want a pocket were people take care of lawns, have a decent clean curb appeal, see no broken windows, etc.

There is nothing wrong with sending letters to people saying you buy houses, clean carpet, trim trees, or whatever.

Repoint the whole chimney (giving a great new look) replace chimney crown with Portland cement, spray with siloxane HP clear set water repellant (day or 2 after work is done and after cleaning pointing work).

Even if all the house needs is a good cleaning, paint and floor covering, having all of your stuff in there to work around will probably double the time needed to finish the work.

I did bring that up but he said he just wanted to make a "clean break".

The reason is the buyer wants to see the time line to act by and if there are conditions tied to the approval letters such as the seller showing additional documentation to the lender or agreeing to a sign promissory note for deficiency etc.The buyer is looking at how CLEAN the short sale approval letter is.The seller doesn't have to share the letter if they do not want to but the buyer can also squash the deal and cancel and move on as well.No legal advice and I have no clue what the seller and buyer signed in this agreement.

The landlord is trying to get rid of them so she can clean up the house and put it on the market.

Not San Antonio, but yes, I've dealt with cleaning up unpermitted work.  

If you manage yorself, you will have to orchestrate check ins, cleaning, etc.Google some of the rental companies and look at the houses they rent out.