My thought is is use the Rent Ready feature of reporting his payment history to the credit bureau so it can work in his favor as a trade line, but I'm wondering if this is an unnecessary added step since he can already pull transactions on his bank side. 

You didn't do yourself any favors when you mentioned that the new car has all the bells and whistles but do whatever you feel is best as this is a personal decision. 

Favorable Zoning: Griffin’s “MDR in-fill” zoning allows for smaller homes on compact lots without the need for variances, simplifying the building process.

If so, how are some of you running ARV's everyday without asking an agent for multiple favors a day?

Sometimes friends/family will give you a favorable rate so it might be worth asking. 

This is the time to call in favors with plumber buddies and or ppl you might know in this field.

This can be used to eliminate most gains of a long hold highly appreciated rental asset through 1031 + primary resident conversion to establish a more favorable ratio. 

Collecting 2-4 rents for 1 property tends to offset taxes more favorably.  

I am HUGELY in favor of treating tenants like people, but that doesn't mean I need to think of the relationship as personal.

I live on Long Island in New York where tenant laws are not favorable for owners and often could encourage squatting.