Suggest you don't pay your kids directly.  

Unfortunately I think this may have some ramifications that further reduce the desire for people to get into the trades in the first place (the exact opposite direction we need to be heading).

Some common names you'll see thrown around a lot: Stessa, Apartments.com, RentRedi, TenantCloud, Innago, RentManager, Avail, Rentec Direct, Doorloop, etc.I recommend you search for each of those apps online and see what they offer, how much they charge, etc.

Remember that if you put your name and doing the flip something happens, you are directly liable to whatever happen.Make sure to protect yourself and your partner in such situations.

Since the basement would be used more so for us living in the unit and not rental income, do the same code/zoning requirements apply?

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction.

For those who don't know ....SDIRA : Self Directed Individual Account. 

That should point you in the right direction.

I am wondering if they still apply during property acquisition.

If you were to prioritize the following list from most important to least in any given time period:
Mortgage ratesCount of Properties for SaleAverage Property Sale PriceAverage Property List PriceAverage Sale to List...