I am 50 and single, and my concerns come from being a child of a struggling trailer park owner in the 1960/70's and a former wife of a struggling carpenter/general contractor.

Rents really aren't much higher in any row house neighborhood than another except in the extremes (IE:from War Zone to A+ areas).

When starting out, people oftentimes use family and friends as private lenders thereby preventing the concern for getting scammed.

They're more concerned about keeping their money than growing it, and willing to sacrifice returns for more safety.

I am fine with it but my own concern is obviously if he burns down the place with the gas stove.

We sound extremely like minded, welcome to (again) to BP!

My main concern with your whole post was when you wrote: "I have no means of making any type of short gain out of these", which means to me: you're buying random properties, at market value.

I know I'd need permits to add an additional driveway over the drainage ditch between the road and I've already contacted contractors and the county for water and septic information so my main concern is the separation of the land I want to keep using from the tenants. 

One of my main concerns is that I have a full time job which takes up all my available time and brain most days. 

I have been considering using as an Airbnb, but the hubby and son are concerned.