Philly is your best bet. 

If he really wants to "roll up his sleeves", he can scout properties in your community (or on the internet) and get paid a "commission" if he finds one of your investor-friends in Omaha to buy it (aka, acquisition fee/finder's fee).

I'd bet if there were a good field of competition the price would drop

For SFH, I find it makes more sense if it's a location where Starlink is also best internet option. 

While BP has a rent estimator as does rentometer.com (both allow a few free uses, I believe), I agree with @Zachary Deal that your best bet is to seek out guidance from either the listing agent or a property manager well-versed with the area. 

So Real estate is the best bet? 

If not, you are going to get pitched and sold and DM'd before you even know what's going on.Bay Area investors invest all over the US, but you don't want to just pick a random market because someone in an internet forum told you to.

Extending lease might be best bet.    

Don't bet on passive appreciation, just forced appreciation.

My bet on the next twist is the death turning out not to be natural causes.