Any advice on making smart investments, managing properties, or resources that could help would be greatly appreciated.

Since you mentioned that you're earning under $200k and living in a less expensive area, plus you have access to a VA loan, buying a primary residence could be a smart move.

She is such a smart and ethical Realtor that she inspired me to become a Realtor and I joined her Yosemite Real Estate Team.

So maybe they use an agent, if there SMART they use an agent so not only do they get that protection in transaction process BUT also find out what other sale $ potential they have in market.

But other than that I am a father of a smart energetic little boy, who has dreams of going places and i want to be able to get him there and not have to worry about the how, but just the when!!  

You can screen tenants with a variety of services online; I like to use my smart move, but there are several others.

Additionally, explore technology tools that streamline remote property management tasks, such as online rent collection platforms and smart home systems for monitoring.

Hey Leo,Great question and it's smart you're thinking ahead on this.

Only way to live on rent is to pay cash and or be extremely frugal mid western rust belt type area were primary housing is very low and all other things including gas, insurance etc are much lower than us west coast folks.Nevada though to me is a smart choice to try to live on RE  prop tax's some of the lowest in the country  NO income tax  utls are low . 

I mean, perhaps they'll trust it more if some expert tells them (I'm afraid they are fixated in me changing glass/window)?