It sounds like you're unfamiliar with the eviction process so I recommend you research it over the next couple of weeks and prepare.

Also, if they already contacted the marshal this is a matter of a couple of weeks before the place will be empty.

I know there's a couple of good posts regarding the sequence of events for purchasing, but what are the steps after you purchase a property, rehab it, and get ready to flip?

I am not experienced in new construction however I have done couple of semi-successful filliping already.

Welcome, @Brian R.SoCal can be a tough nut to crack for newbies.A couple years ago I mailed out lots of letters to homeowners across LA County with no luck.Then I tried rural Kern County and got a deal from a distressed homeowner in California City.The margins were not as large as they would've been in LA or OC, but I was able to rent it out for 2 years before fixing it up and selling it for a decent gain.Also, have you considered an owner-occupied small multifamily for your first deal?

A couple real estate agents have been brought in and estimated a sell price of 600k.

Hi Jerry, I just found this thread from a couple years ago. 

In my experience it takes at least a couple weeks -- and many more dollars -- to bang out a PSA for a $3mm property.

Why don't you find a couple of there properties in Houston and go look at them as a potential tenant and see what upgrades they did. 

The current tenants seem disgruntled that I expect them to adhere to the rental agreement (we've had a couple minor issues).