It would be nice if my parents considered this.

Dylan, not to be a smart old man, but stay away from guru books and listen carefully to your parents!

for example, I tried it on my parents house just to test it out, and it give me the info about it, before they added the 2nd story to their house.

I have dealt with dishonest children on deals in the past who were simply waiting for their parents to die so that they could inherit the house.

Another lesson/experience - if the kids are animals, they probably learned it from the parents.

I do have money enough at least to cover those as well as private money as an option from my parents.

Parents owned a rental when I was younger, a few family members own their own successful businesses, I aided a general contractor in a complete gut and rebuild of a commercial property and I have unknowingly networked with a few real estate agents, investors, general contractors and service techs through various jobs and hobbies.

I'm originally from the NOVA area. and my parents still live there so I'll always call it one of my homes.

Should I require the other boys parents on the lease as well?

I always look at my parents crazy when they ask something extra simple on how to use their phones or some other electronic. but i take for granted that i've always had these things and it's just second nature. some homeowners are probably difficult. and then of course some houses are just dumps lol. now that i think about it, when i get back i'll approach realtors without house pictures and charge like $50 to take 10 pics for them.