A full lead free certificate is only needed once and a one time fee to register as lead free.The other test is a combination of visual and dust swipes. 

Pictures with furniture in the rooms does give potential tenants a good visual of the space. 

Perhaps including a floorplan diagram would help tenants visualize the three units in the house? 

I drive by monthly and do a visual inspection to make sure the grass is mowed and there are no cars parked on the lawn, etc.

The new ordinance will enforce going from passing the visual inspection stated now to 12 dust samples testing and that's where the issue is.  

My question is how often does a typical real estate investor use some kind of software like photoshop or other fancy softwares to really visualize the change before they start working on it ?

Some people just cannot visualize or grasp the numbers and need to have it all laid out in front of them.As @Jerry W. mentions - fear is very powerful until you are able to move past it and realize there was nothing to fear afterall, assuming you’ve done your homework and you have a team of professionals to help you.  

It also screws with the visual dimensions of the property.One unit that I'm very familiar with, the agent added a large dining room table near the kitchen and in another pic added a large couch and end-table in the living room pic.

While there you can visually check to see if there are any blatant problems.

If you insist on marking it visually, we will allow you to place a removable tape like this.