RE investing is an intensifier for sure -- it will intensify your path to wealth in some cool ways, and it will intensify any lack of discipline or diligence you have. 

You do have to sit through a hard sell which intensifies each session. 

Big believer in having hardwood floors, yes they can get damaged just like anything else, but are easy to fix ( scratches, big gouges or water stains that may have been incurring for years are harder to fix, but you can replace just that spot). carpet would have to get changed a lot more, not to mention possible health problems for new tenant if you do not deep clean them after the old tenant leaves. as far as noise, yes you will get some down stairs, but i wouldn't worry about it. suggest to people when they move in that they can put down area rugs.

However, upstairs with a tenant down I may still go thick pad and carpet, or good acoustic underlayment and area rugs on vinyl...

I had a previous tenant with a dog destroy everything in the home and I had to replace all the furniture, queen sleeper, mattress, bedding, linens, area rugs, flooring, so I am really leery about renting to people with pets now.

Before leaving I even rented a rug doctor and cleaned the carpets.

Of course, if you are using area rugs, those might suffice to keep the coldness of the tile at bay.  

Absolutely work with an attorney to make sure the owner can't pull the rug--or in this case, the dirt--out from under you.

Is it okay to ask or require a new tenant to cover a certain percentage of the floors with rugs?

How do you know the seller isn't buddy buddy with the home inspector and brushed some glaring things under the rug?