Screen by what you're looking for; housing scarcity, tax implications, barrier of entry, coastal, climate risk off or on, etc.

The good news is that there are still investable vacation rentals but historically the barrier to entry is growing each year. 

If you don't get out there, you have wasted the entry fee.[3] You have to have or make time to show up. 

However, its downfall (and really what makes it so easy) is that it is a single-entry system. 

Since then I can't pencil out any entry level SFH investments as rents are going to take a few years to catch up with the insane appreciation.

THEY ARE STEALING FROM YOU (remember your remark about him not even getting a fast food/entry level job? 

Account Closed"Barriers to entry", that's the term.

I have many FL clients that have changed markets to Memphis because of the lower taxes, higher cash flow, and lower entry points.

It was high rent, low entry point area but within 6 months I dealt with an eviction and electrical issues.

There are plenty of entry roles from cold calling, scrubbing data and find deals for investors, leasing assistant, work on construction sites, office admin, project coordinator, Title assistant, RE photographer, transaction coordinator.. on and on.