Paid traffic is king and it should be videos with long text in the description of the post. 

What I do in addition to telling them what to do is create a video of my computer screen and show them how to collect the information.  

It looks like the main thing is that your parents would have to hold the property for a minimum of two years in order to convince the IRS you weren't engaging in cost swapping. 

Im instituting professionally made video walkthroughs and requiring tenants to drive by the property.

I would at turn over endevour to take all carpet out and replace with hard surface flooring.. also depending on the size of the company and man power it could be hard to get instant communications.running rentals or running PM's is not a set it and forget it thing. you have to be diligently engaged

They were not open to learning anything about the situation, and said so, but did they make any additional comment or engage in any discussion about the problem or the solution.

I’m really asking if many do ‘video’ showings exclusively?

Grant Kemp from Creative Cash Flow and Daniel Chad Moore of Propelio did a great YouTube and FB video on notes vs rentals.

I want to do Drone videos of our subdivisions I really like photos from the air.. plus links to google earth etc.. 

Sure, you can watch a YouTube video on how to change out a water heater yourself but should you?