I was able to control where my funds were distributed in my 401K and I did very well with it in my career. 

Or, fix up the deck so the appraisal is higher, but again, all subjective and puts control into someone else's hands.If you've already eyed a property and its a winner either way, I wouldn't wait for a lot of these personal steps to come through.

A hobby is that classic car sitting in your parents garage for +20 years.

The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done.Since I'll be investing remotely I'll be requiring someone to help me out in the "bird dog" activity of finding properties through driving for dollars.

One option is to put a lock box cover over it and designate a set temp for the winter but personally I would rather not do that as I know I would rather have control over my temp as a renter. 

Additionally, I can control which properties I want to target.

Allowing him to simply move in also sets the tone that they are in control of the property, rather than the landlord.     

Your parents gave you a great name!

This concerns me because we cannot always control what the movers do.

@Peter Sik  There are now statewide rent control laws in addition to some local laws.