Prioritize your financial stability.

Banks do not like them.

Let's say it's a family of 4, do you make them all pay for the aprox $40-$50 screening package?

There just aren't as many deals as there used to be it seems. 

The best thing this community can do is encourage your son to run far away from a subject to deal.

I personally haven't done this but I have helped clients do it in the past.Hit me up if you're interested!

Lots has changed over the years.Managing it yourself from a distance can be done, but it will require your team to be built and for you to have back up strategies if guests need attention and you're unavailable. 

Do I rip the bandaid off and get Ethan Allen or Bassett?

& how you become financially free is by letting whoever your renting to (I'm guessing that was a step also?)

Being new I would suggest started with existing builds but building small multifamily in a small town with a rental shortage could be a smart move (someone's gotta do it).