Throwing $15k at this would leave me with roughly $5k (plenty to live on until graduation) and I fortunately am a part of an upper-middle class family that would definitely help me with co-signing/personal loans if need be.So that is the basis of the situation.

Some years back, a co-worker of mine found someone checking her mailbox out by the curb, then walking to her back yard on the way home from work.

I'm not a student, but would like to rent by the room, I might not be able to get people I know, so I'd be screening and having parents co-sign, at least for the time I have to live there to say it's a "primary residence", and then I may or may not continue with that strategy 

My son managed several of my properties from Colorado.

I own 3 properties in Colorado that have been managed for over 20 years by someone who recently passed. 

If they are all friends, it can be easier to coordinate that and have them split it amongst the three of them, keeping it in their name.

My property manager for an existing rental took on coordinating improvements to my former primary residence in getting it prepared to rent. 

What I mean by that is have a tool that you can specify your area for example, Denver, Co and establish some investments rules, for example 1% rule or others, and have a tool run an automatic scan of properties that come to the market.

noticed only thing that Zillow does not have is Coordinating Repairs & Maintenance or add handyman details to the platform for effective communications between tenant and local handyman.

I may be getting into STR soon, what software are you all using to coordinate booking on both sites so it cancels openings?