Probably accounting is what I would most strongly endorse for a young guy with less than 2 years in the Air Force. 

It helps circulate the air so that the house doesn't get stale. 

Do any of you use air purifiers in your home?

Is that the real estate downturn, or the oil downturn, gold downturn, silver, hog bellies or whatever they're trading an hour or so south of me in Chicago  . . . and of course for all of those downturns, you can find the exact opposite predictions from SOMEONE for anything and literally you could spend all of 2017 watching non stop youtube videos, listening to "financial whiz" podcasts and interviews, there's the screaming "I'm bald but refuse to do the shave your whole head trend since I'm too busy screaming about stocks all of the time" stock dork on CNBC or wherever he is (maybe MSNBC-oh wait, they've got the entire on air staff on 24/7 suicide watch since the election results came in at MSNBC) Anyway, point is that you can literally find someone pushing ANY prediction and what is also very troubling is that MANY who push the "downturn" scenarios and ESPECIALLY the "major downturn" or even the incredible # of "global economic collapse is any day now, might even be tomorrow!!"

., it beats air fare and hotel for going out there yourself.

We plan to remodel the entire basement to convert to 2 nice furnish studio style (without kitchen) for Air bnb.

Regardless, it sounds like a good problem to have, my only suggestion is that in anything you do make sure your contracts are air tight.

If the value is pushed up (appreciation) you get more equity out of thin air (or your efforts).  

Years of this informal management have strained the relationship between myself and my family member, and I would like to order a multi-year financial audit of the two properties to clear the air and to wipe out any ambiguities in the books.

Obviously a lot up in the air with the new Trump presidency coming up, but we plan on holding these properties.