There is special expanding foam that has a sour taste that is supposed to deter them chewing through it. 

This why they do not recommend you repair a property with your own tastes, as your taste may not be (and usually isn't) universal.Trying to understand all of this component by component is the wrong approach.

The tenants moving in are wealthy and have expensive taste.

I feel like not knowing the applicants these 8 showings will turn into plus we have already advertised the price, it would be in bad taste to raise the price at this point.

It's an acquired taste.

Everyone has different taste...personally not a fan of that mirror.

I'm sure there are people making great money running short term rentals in exotic locations around the globe, but there's too much uncertainty for my taste.

Haha, I have actually been married for 14 years now, but my wife is Panamanian and from a small town there (I am from Texas myself), so her taste is very different from what the average North American is going to like.

Maybe even look into some vinyl faux stone panels if they are cheaper so they don't stick outward from the wall / stairs.If you go too specific to a taste too it can turn someone off & have them think, 'well thats one thing I have to replace' that is not my style

So, instead of looking for problems, they overlook them.This is why I learned not to bother showing an apartment until it was move-in ready, too.You can't paint to suit everyone's tastes, but you can paint a color that's not offensive to anyone.