Backyard advice, cheap Reno

[Logan Turner]

I have a property I'm just finishing up rehabbing. It's going to be a rent house short term and possibly sell it in 2 years. Any suggestions to make the backyard decent? It's a dry almost desert climate. No sprinklers or water well so will not be grassing the backyard. Would spray some weed killer down and have some churn the soil so it's dirt, Maybe lay some stones down and make a stone fire pit? Any ideas appreciated. See picture below 2/1 1000 sq ft. C neighborhood, but neighbors are nice houses. Right by high school. rent $1050 (to get an idea of recommendations) i'd prefer to keep expenses minimal.