If it were me, I would proceed with some gradual increases, and maybe pair that with some niceties - i.e. address some maintenance the previous landlord was deferring, a fresh repaint of a room or two, etc.

I am freshly new to buying home cash and investing.

The home is otherwise "rent ready" with  fresh paint, tiled floors, and relatively updated kitchens.

You may be right as far as getting a fresh set of eyes on the property. 

When it comes to rental I really think people like fresh & clean over fancy.

Or maybe they will be happy to take all those properties back so they can write fresh loans on them all over again!

They'll move in and see problems and complain about the smallest, weird things.Whereas, if you wait and show it while it still smells like fresh paint and the carpets have stripes from the vacuum cleaner, in their minds the place is in great shape and they will overlook things.It's the same idea as curb appeal.

As Eric says above, you don't sign the lease and then start negotiating a freshly painted house or other updates.The walkthru is after they have paid rent, showed you the utilities are in their name and presented proper renters insurance.

It's straight up theft from the landlord as far as I'm concerned, and unfortunately sanctioned by our elected officials currently. 

Next lease you are starting fresh and now it becomes fair and equitable to charge a tenant for damage that you could clearly attribute to them.