You would be surprised and some of the returns you can achieve with a minimal upfront investment.

Our time is being wasted in drive time and it means really long days with no time with the family.  

Well you can keep looking but you are just wasting your time.

This choice costs you the minimal amount of interest you'd save had you used the funds to pay towards mortgage instead. 

The dream would be to set up a system for him to retire on my properties and take minimal stewardship roles in my name.Dad suggested that I line up some agents to look at properties that I'd like to acquire and operate; I've been on Zillow/Trulia for sale price and Trip adviser and AirBnB for Rental rates doing comparisons.

After years in this business, by far this is the most unscrupululous investment company I have come across.My trip wan't wasted , I was able to check on multiple investment properties across the lower states on my way there and back.

That way you don't waste yours and the other contractors time.

Usually there is a period where only owner occupants can bid, which helps to eliminate competition from investors and helps revitalize neighborhoods by minimizing the % of rental properties.

What would you do with 250k of capital that is minimal work with maximum payout?

I tend to think a lot of the "soft" master's programs are a waste of effort and money.