Not only the management aspect they'd be providing but it would allow you an opportunity to "learn on the job" for when you plan on managing it yourself and also give you context for questions that you may have and someone to ask them to.

I would do absolutely nothing.There is no reason to compete with stupidity as it will weed itself out.If one property comes to market at $400-$500 cheaper than actual market rents ONE lucky person will get that property and one foolish landlord will be losing a LOT of money.This would literally have zero impact on my ability to rent my place and I wouldn't for one second allow it to influence my pricing strategy.

What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?

For that reason I think it's more critical for you than others to do whatever you can to stand out (ex: EV charger, arcade games, amazing photos, allowing dogs, etc.).

At this point, they shouldn't be reporting the account every month which will allow your scores to rebound but a very slow pace.

whatever you do,   your first investment should be close to home or if your life circumstances allow for it,  a house hack.   

Have you investigated whether zoning allows you to add an additional unit to your property?

Forced Apperception (BRRRR or buying at a discount) allows me to build in equity from the beginning of the investment in case I need to fire sale the property for an unforeseeable reason. 

I think the end result is the same, but more work with new leases every year.Section 8 leases do not allow the 3 months up front payment approach.

I've not come across a state personally that would allow Docusigned or scanned electronic copies of a deed.