My general process is pre-screen with google forms, invite candidates to an open-house showing if they meet all requirements, accept applications and verify any applicants check out (call every reference, verify every detail, and for those with animals, have a certified animal trainer assess the animal).

More importantly, I learning that CA, and more specifically the Bay Area, is a much different animal than what you hear about in the majority of BP Podcasts and forums. 

Some folks say there will always be lingering odor if I don't coat every last thing behind the walls.

I'd be happy to talk about your specifics with the property, but my gut says if the tile work is decent and so coated will look great, and you don't want to spend the money to completely re-tile, etc, the reglazing may be a great alternative. 

I believe he also gets a special coating/glossing on it too so small smudges, drawings, etc can be wiped away.

In a day or two we received a call from the local animal control concerning the bite.That said, if the local police does not have a report, the local animal control may.Even if you do not evict, write her a violation notice.

However, it is an entirely different animal from residential so the best way to navigate the waters would be to find a mentor.

Also, home depot carries a product called 'red guard'. 4 coats of that stuff and it's like a layer of vinyl underneath the tile.

I told my g/f not to pay these fees as the company couldn't even begin to prove that she had an animal at the apartment.

It all has to do with volume and the area.If a bunch of foreclosures are happening you will have a shift in rents in a downward trend.If major job losses or an employer is leaving you will have an out flex of people migrating to other areas especially if the business leaving employed a large percentage of the people.Texas in my view doesn't compare to many other areas.Texas recently had 5 either counties or cities ( I am brain dead today ) rank in the top 10 for fastest growing in the nation,Texas BIGGEST problem right now is a massive drought there.No rain is killing animals,crops from what I am being told.They are saying meat prices will rise higher in months to come and we haven't felt the affect too much yet.