@Ken Bringing intelligence, time, knowledge, credibility, integrity and some "Skin" to the deal.

What skin you have in the game?

There are so many styles, textures, and finishes now.

See if they can carry back a note so that your LTV is 75/80 or whatever you can get from the bank with some of your skin in the game. 

PS: I think if I want to be a landlord I need to have a thicker skin, but probably comes with experience, this is my first tenant.

If they are a good contractor or lawyer or CPA or something of value to the partnership then give them equity so they have real skin in the game.

People don't rent to section 8 because Section 8 tenants have no skin in the game.

I know this may sound crazy but I never even look on the MLS, you'll find me in peoples living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens asking them to give me an estimate of what it may cost to remove that paneling and possibly texture and paint for the open market.

I noticed that every hotel has 2 similarities - -Textured Wallpaper -Really short carpetI'm wondering if anyone does this in their rentals?

That changes the skin in the game.