@Michael Plante, I mean its happening here too although, there haven't been as many new housing starts where I am.

The one small exception I have is that in my lease I set the expectation that an assigned parking spot (outdoor, uncovered, unpaved) is the tenant's responsibility to maintain so they should shovel, rake, and trim plants.

It also is used in textured ceilings and insulation-Vermiculite.

These are signs of the early gentrifiers planting their flag saying basically , " we approve this area, this is the new cool" .

Culvert, plant some trees.  

I was thinking of planting viburnum as a cheaper alternative.

Probably $10k from your paid-for properties (rent increases and operational efficiencies) and another $5000 from the newer 10 mortgaged properties each month.Hard to find that return today but you can plant a tree that will put you in a good position to see it in ten years no beyond.

Maybe include a free upgrade for re-signing...i.e. new fridge, $200 credit for flowers to plant around house, security system...whatever is important to them.

Skyline was the first manufacture to learn how to do it right in their Oregon plant.

(Worry #6, anyone who actually visited the property would see neatly trimmed grass and plants, snow was shoveled, trash can has recent trash, there are cars with clean windows and obviously used regularly, there are cats in the windows, lights are on, looking through a window shows furniture, etc.