Now I'm wondering if I should just do better upgrades to a couple of things now and aim for a better clientele (and higher rent) than I thought I might get for my first tenant.For instance, the bathroom had some old plastic tile on the walls. 

I spent $4,000 recently for a problem with a sewer line that ended up being a chunk of plastic lid off the sewer cleanout.

Tell them they don't take plastic and listen to them get out of that one.Get a whoopie cushion and put it under a seat cushion in any public place for your friend to sit on.Kids at Halloween: The best was the old burning bag trick.

I am in nothwest Dallas County and have almost 40 years of experience.It might be because of plastic that a lot of cities made builders do.  

Hang a plastic liner on the shower pole, that costs nothing and looks good/better then nothing,better pictures and talk about the viewCould you use a new vanity in the bathroom and could your mirror be better/  How about your counter top there?

More expensive to replace and harder to modify than modern plastic variety In my opinion these aren't necessarily the deal breakers, as many people successfully own older homes, my friend being one (late 1,800s).  

Or you have to plastic x area due to the dust and they can't access it.

Another plastic surgeon with his wife rent a $10K home (mo) this piano, dance, voice training lessons, country club dues could not even come up with funds for a closing cost with a huge student loan and awful FICO.  

RVs are built out of cheap & light materials like plastic & aluminum.

The plastic broke off the front.