I also like the flower box idea.I will keep the thread updated with the shutters in place, deck cleaned and stained, pic's.Please keep the comments coming, Thanks, John

Sometimes evicting bad seeds can be very difficult and time consuming.I think the landscaping #'s are low, low quality tenants tend to litter a lot and make a mess of the grounds and nicer bushes/trees/flowers are integral to luring better tenants. 

You have to have the vision to see past the ugly things--whether they're on the inside of the house or on the outside.Once the bushes were trimmed down and we added flowers and flower boxes, it really created a nice curb appeal.

Simple fixes; get rid of the shrubs, add shutters, some flowering plants, some kind of decoration over the garage door - those big stars seem to be popular in suburban areas, one or two patio chairs and a small table on the porch, simple stuff like that can make a big difference.

Cigarette butts in the flower beds and parking lot are tell tale signs.  

It's much easer and safer and profitable to do things in compliance, avoid unnecessary risks, not doing screwey things to flower up a deal or just paper it up.

Send a card, maybe flowers, his estate will probably assume the contract, expect it to continue until the end of the term.

Combine that with some long term tenants, and things like planting flowers and dressing up the property, many neighbors don't know if they are rentals.

Flowers

I also look for evidence of cat digging in the flower beds and feces there (although those could be from stray cats) and cat paw prints on the hoods of vehicles.