In your opinion, would it be better to put a few extra dollars together to do a man cave/family room in the basement or fence in a portion of the backyard for some private outdoor living space?

Right now out of seven units I have four smokers, all of which claim to be 'outdoors' smokers, two of which I discovered subsequent to leasing.

Added new appliances, adding laminate flooring to all rooms not previously mentioned, celing fans in all rooms, had the house repainted, and fixed things that needed fixing (pool, outdoor sprinkler).

We use landlord stat by Chicago temperature control.

Round-up entire yard (do it soon - roundup works best when temperature is at least in high 70-ies)2.

I'd next like to talk about how and why I buy the industrial properties that I do.Currently, we are buying industrial outdoor storage in infill locations within Dallas Fort Worth, Texas.

As such the bricks are less dense and more porous than modern brick (which is compressed and fired at higher temperature) and absorbs more water.  

Commercial machines also usually have a way to adjust the heat they use, this may also be a solution by raising the temperature.

Second, have them look into what is called "outdoor reset".

One unit is on the main level and the other is the basement so the temperature difference could be around 8 degrees based on our personal home.I am sure I am not the first person who has come across this.