Those trends show no signs of slowing though perhaps the recent downturn in the economy boosted them more than usual.

Google Earth shows a home with fairly good curb appeal.

They would call after hours, and leave long, meandering voicemails (I would never answer).I've curbed my enthusiasm since, however, and "feel the neighbor out" for mental stability before offering my business email only. 

You are ready to kick this guy and his whole family to the curb before he's had a chance to tell his side of the story in a court of law. 

The following ways can help boost your score-  pay on time, increase your credit line as much as possible, payoff a big portion of the outstanding balance before running the credit check 

There is also some exterior work needed to boost the curb appeal.

For example, if you are in a lower COL area and can find a duplex or triplex for say 150k, you can put down 7.5k, maybe more with fees and keep the rest as reserves and also use the money you're saving in rent to boost reserves and save for future investments.If small multis aren't an option, consider buying a fixer upper SFR with a 203k loan to boost the value through a renovation thats cost can be rolled into the loan.

Is it possible they are driving by and noticing bad curb appeal? 

Using those services help to curb the liability as they do credit card id verification.

So if you can boost the NOI then you know how much value you’ve added to your property.