Starbucks gift card, books store gift card, movie tickets from Costco (they have packages with two admissions, drink and popcorn for $24 here), Costco gift baskets (surprisingly nice ones with chocolates, cookies and a planter are $20).There is discussion of this topic every year on bigger pockets.

I have a few handymen that I keep good relations with and will come out for emergencies like this.My scenario, a drink driver in a large truck jumped the curb, plowed through the planter wall, plowed through the entire house and the neighbors brick wall.I put the tenants up in 2 hotels rooms for about 6 weeks.

This break has allowed me to spruce up my place with a DIY patio and a planter/screen in the backyard to provide more privacy and outdoor seating area.

Stylish and to a good level of detail --  felt like most of the upgrades were done to a 'retail' level and not just a 'rental' level. 

While there are a LOT of tacky MTRs out there, those that are consistently doing well are stylish and furnished with quality goods.

Improved the bathroom by replacing the toilets and shower heads with low water/more efficient and stylish fixtures3.

Get some decent-sized greenery going under the window on the left (maybe create a planter), and think about a specimen-size tree in the yard that will eventually grow to hide the lack of a window on the left side of the second story gable.You'll be amazed at the difference these simple, inexpensive improvements will make.Cheers!

Many feature brick planters that fell victim to frost cracks.From an investor point of view the 1960s generation is much easier and cost effective to maintain, material is readily available in standard sizes: doors, windows etc.

I googled and saw that people were turning the stumps into planter boxes...the wife seems to like that idea.As far as selling the house, I wonder if leaving the stump would matter one way or the other to potential buyers?

Let the fuzziest buyers come through this stylish looking residence with tasteful wood laminate flooring throughout and Spanish tiles flooring in the bathroom.