In general, every "repair" expenditure needs to be capitalized (treated as an asset rather than an expense) and depreciated- expensed- over a number of years; how long depends on the life of the asset). 

But I feel that with real estate you at least have a tangible asset.  

There are some alternative structures using LLCs within tax-advantaged account that that give you total control of your assets and keep costs down. 

Your dad would still have to worry about the operator running the asset and paying the note on time.

We don't pitch products or services.

If you are not married, generally her assets would go into probate and the probate court would decide what happens to her assets.

That way you can keep getting appreciation benefits over the long term but also build cash flow assets.

Also, here is the statement from Zillow CEO in another article “There are several startups and real estate brokerage websites experimenting in this space, but Zillow is the only one that has designed a product to keep the agent involved in every part of the transaction, most notably by giving them the opportunity to secure new listing agreements,” Rascoff said.

If you could buy assets for no money down, everyone would be doing it.  

The customer service level reflects the difference between indifferent salaried people checking boxes and letting automated software do whatever it wants to do, and folks paid for production (like if you went the refinance route, rather than assumption).