We have tried everything...from asking them nicely, to calling the police (the police won't even come out any more for the homeless calls) and leaving a barking dog in a vacant space at night where they like to hang out (they just move away from the dog and find another cozy spot).  

Most tenants with kids dont play in the front yard, like they do the  back, so a few plants (agaves or other drought tolerant plants, ) with a few large rocks and then bark or smaller rocks in a nice form is excellent.  

Barking dog, and such.  

I usually go with weed cloth, high quality bark and drought tolerant plants.

If they pass our 'pre screen' (i.e. make 3x rent in per month income, don't have dogs barking in background, aren't eating potato chips during the conversation, etc.) we then direct them to our online application.

Okay  - I'm seeking input from some seasoned / battle hardened real estate investors about my next investment move.Here is a synopsis of our circumstances and what my goal is:  1: I am unemployed (semi-retired or you ...

Am I still barking up the wrong tree?

It's in Greek so I'll have to translate:The fact that I never learned to bark does not mean that I don't know how to bite. 

The alternative would be using their home (which they don't have the space for, or it's too loud because of their kids and barking dogs, or there's no parking, etc.).

If someone tells me their dog is an "outside only" dog they are automatically eliminated, because that usually denotes an animal with very little attention, on a chain or in a pen, a yard that's not regularly cleaned, no socialization, barking problems, etc.