When I found a problem I didn't even have to say anything because he was right there (softening up on his asking price in his mind whether he knew it or not) After we were all done I explained what concerned me and why.

Obviously this market will turn at some point (there are some softening indicators already), but nobody thinks it will look anything like 2008-2012.When we bought our live-in duplex, we just wanted it to break even if we had to rent it out.  

I feel like it's a shell game or three-card monte that the city/county/state leadership is playing-"look over here at the 'housing crisis' not at policies that have actually exacerbated the problem"I totally agree in the short term that rents have softened (although I just finished a rehab in one of my rentals and went for $1,000/mo to $1,495 so I'm pretty happy there!!)

________________________________________________________________Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filtersClean kitchen sink disposalClean range hood filtersInspect your fire extinguisher(s)Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectorsTest garage door auto-reverse featureRun water and flush toilets in unused spacesCheck water softener, add salt if neededGive your house a deep cleanVacuum your refrigerator coilsTest your water heater’s pressure relief valveReplace batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide detectorsCheck the exterior drainageClean out guttersInspect the exterior of your homeGet your air conditioning system ready for summer; consider servicingRepair/replace damaged window screensClear dead plants/shrubs from the houseCheck trees for interference with electric linesInspect roofing for damage, leaks, etc.Test your electricity to the extent that you canTighten any handles, knobs, racks, etc.Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windowsCheck caulking around showers and bathtubs; repair as neededRemove shower heads and clean sedimentDeep clean and inspect the basementCheck grout in bathrooms, kitchen, etc.; repair as neededInspect plumbing for leaks, clean aerators on faucetsTake care of any insect problems you may haveClean and repair deck/patio as neededClean out window wells of debrisCheck and clean dryer vent, other exhaust vents to exterior of homeClean garage________________________________________________________________Do the landlords on this forum perform any of these tasks? 

The local market is turning more into a Buyer's Market lately, with prices softening a bit and listings seeing more days on market - but I anticipate the Spring buyer frenzy will start around March this year.  

High end property values in Miami Beach have soften and there is less demand. 

So coming in with that knowledge and addressing that issue first will likely soften the blow and create an understanding between yourself and your new tenants. 

This won't eliminate the noise, but if your tenants don't have anything down it can help soften some of the impact noise.As another poster mentioned, try to avoid putting tenants with kids in upstairs units.

The sidewalk to the front door looks a bit rough and I think Nikolas was right to suggest softening and widening it - plants are one option - just a row of bricks along each side could be another.  

Probably $7 a pop and it would break up the massive amount of green and help soften it a bit.