Some larger plants along the sidewalk/under the windows and some big potted plants around the entrance would help also!   

We often cooked meals together etc.  

However, if you guys are looking to build your finances together as a unit and you look at it as all money coming into the home is in one pot- then no it's not a house hack.

Absolutely I would not spend $$ on a cookbook, not everyone cooks, and it will likely just go in the trash.Also, the first few months are when tenants are in the testing phase, so this isn't the time to show them you are a softy, it's the time to go strictly by the lease, and this is a professional relationship. 

I simply budget 5% for capital expenses and 5% another 5% for maintenance and work with the money that accumulates in that pot.

Learning to cook what’s best on sale can save huge on groceries, without sacrificing (hard to find a restaurant that’s better than my husband’s cooking these days).

Versus long term guests who are home most of the time, cooking most meals in, putting maximum wear and tear on a place.  

Outside of real estate and data science, I love board games, cooking, classic rock music and travelling (might travel around Mexico/Cancun if possible). 

You can even sweeten the pot by telling them they don't have to clean, and you will hand them their deposit on the day of move-out after a 10-minute inspection to verify there are no damages. 

Some CAN cook as good as a Chef.