I am also considering partnering for my first deal but I just want to get a few different point of views before I choose a route.

If you're lazy like me you won't go the Craigslist route because you'll want someone else to do the installation.

If you're comfortable with month to month you could let them go that route in the Spring again, but still be protected over off season months.

For my financial security and peace of mind, I agree this is the appropriate route to take.  

Big Gov long ago figured out this strategy to escape taxes and plugged that loophole.Follow the inheritance route :)

Yes, you might get 50% selling it as a product, a program, people fall for that, they don't know the business, they may trust you, they may believe your pitch and if you go that route you don't have a partner, you have a client, a customer and you'll most likely be stepping all over compliance issues, especially when a deal flops and you can't return that investment they made.

The best route, being that you are new to this, would be to hook up with some local landlords who are good at what they do.

Should you go the DIL route, in any firm, be certain to use a different entity than that of the note holding entity to avoid merger of interests and preserve ability to perfect title via fireclosure, should this be necessary later. 

Get that real estate website, and build that online presence this is the best route to go.

I have access to the MLS so clearly going to a broker is one solid route but few brokers know both the rental market and resale markets well in my experience (some do but not most).