In addition, as a learning experience they can try alternate rent models such as rent by room, STR, MTR. 

Alternatively, if you're able to put a good chunk down payment on a property and the rent(s) cover your mortgage + expenses + a touch more, in an area that you like and know will appreciate, that's pretty nice as well. 

Are you just considering a bunch of alternatives?

In the alternative,  you can have a partnership agreement between your LLC and your partner.

If you are looking for more cost-effective options you can try roor.io or salesmate.io I have not used them yet but I am looking into them for alternate solutions.

I am looking for an alternative to Avail for lease signing and monthly rent collection for my 2 rental properties, and this company seems like it might be a winner.

fix-it-all (joint compound with some additives) is not suitable for exterior at allYes it will wick in water as the paint deteriorates, and cause more rot, and keeping a good coat of paint on it won't be enough long-term in many/most climates.bondo (polyester auto body resin) is a cheap-ish "alternative", although harder to get detail work just right and not really all that suitable anyway (maybe ok with a good epoxy / primer, perhaps?).

Usually the interest rate and points are a little higher up front than a traditional lender but it's a good alternative to bringing on a partner.

Also from what I've gathered it is safer to have a rental property in an LLC.

If you do some research on houses like yours in that market area, you may be able to see how long it takes for the property to rent.There are security deposit alternative policies now that make it even easier for tenants to meet security deposit requirements.