So, yes, a 5 bedroom (in general) would be better than a 4 bed if all other things were equal.

The unit is a 4 plex with each unit being a one bed and one bath.  

We actually have garden apartments and our issue is tenants leaving kid's toys and bikes in our newly landscaped flower beds, crushing the plants. 

I wish I could own a bed and breakfast actually, but I don't have enough to get one of those.

In addition to doing bridge and fix & flip rehab loans my people also purchase deeply discounted SFR.We look for off market 3 beds at least 2 baths,in markets of at least 500,000.Rentedor vacant if you have a deal let me know. 

I know there is a lot of threads about installing but none that talk in depth about portable A/C units...Backstory: I purchased a 3 bed, 2 bath duplex in Baraboo, WI which rents for $995.

Or you can turn that dining room into a bed and bath and make a 3/2 into a 4/3.

It comes down to the ROI- 2 beds will rent for less than 3 beds, but you can get approx 30% higher rent for a 3 bed in my market.

You can consider replacing it with a gravel or mulch bed, nicely edged, around the house rather than re-sodding.

In addition, you could add small canopy's to the top of the windows for aesthetics and also as a sun block.Through both you will get alignment of the windows, some vegetation or color from the flower beds, and added aesthetics for a relatively cost efficient price.I agree with @Gilbert that earth tones might work really well with this very low rise complex particularly since you're wanting to avoid installing grass.