I've seen too many people wrapped up by their smartphone or other distractions instead of being attuned to what's going on around them.

Take your smart phone, know your local online data source (portlandmaps.com for Portland) and go watch the activity.

Get some kind of smart phone so I can maintain communications on the go and record pics/videos and such of houses5.

The nest can also allow you to lower the temp or you can sync it with your tenants smart phone and it will automatically lower the temp a few degrees when they aren't at home.

One applicant I had only did online banking and actually logged into her bank account using her smartphone to show those types of deposits.

I am a Licensed contractor in the DC MD and Va area and for a project like that its ok to leave the key have the scope spelled out and good to have two lock box keys someone always walks away with it and brings it back a few days later if you been in this business long enough.I would also have them to send you pictures before and while work is done and after so you can see what is going on most contractors have smart phones and you can ask that they send you 10 pictures of the work on each phase .Check your REI and local supply places or referral to do the work are your best places.

I am a Chromebook/smart phone user, sitting at my desk top is inconvenient, no anywhere access and no collaboration options I have found for my primary users.”

(As noted above you have a smart phone and are connected electronically to your affairs).  

Also, much can be accomplished on a smart phone or tablet remotely, its not all showing houses all the time.

I also agree that the basic "blocking and tackling" such as good flooring, and clean and crisp looking walls are important, but now that the cost of these features plus smart phones to control the features have decreased since they all were introduced, I think it might be an interesting way to make your units more attractive, especially to the millennial generation or the next generation of kids soon to be renters (many of whom have not experienced a world without a tablet or smartphone).