For you, it's important to turn over a well-organized loan application, completed PFS and have your entity documents properly drafted and easy to follow. 

I set the Credit Score as 650+ negotiable in Zillow and I had two immediate applications with very bad scores. 

If you want to be as hands-on as possible with the process, you could require every qualified application is run by you before signing a lease to protect yourself.

Here are a few ways I use them for long-term rentals:Tenant Communication: handling inbound calls, screening applications, scheduling showings, and following up.Property Management Support: coordinating with contractors, managing maintenance logs, and tracking work orders.Back-Office Work: bookkeeping, updating QuickBooks, rent collection records, and reporting.Marketing & Listings: creating property listings, posting on rental sites, and monitoring inquiries.The biggest success comes from training them on your exact systems, not expecting them to build it for you.

It integrates with most major web browsers and it also has a mobile application that runs on your phone.

Applicants often hide things that would disqualify them, so it’s crucial to understand how thoroughly a company screens tenants.

The turnaround is fast — often just a few days from application to closing — and on average it only runs about $10K out of pocket per closing.

Take a look at your application standards and what they say. 

Options I’ve seen mentioned:Splitting the gift across multiple yearsStructuring part of it as a loan (and possibly forgiving later)Using a 529 plan contribution (not really applicable in my case but curious if relevant to others)Setting up a trust or custodial structureOr just taking the lump sum and filing the gift tax form, since it would fall under her lifetime exemption anywayThe goal is to use the money toward real estate investing—either as down payments on rentals or possibly paying off some existing debt.Has anyone here gone through something similar?

This part of town seems to offer more affordable options while still being relatively safe and convenient for students.The goal is to:Provide housing for our daughter and her friends starting January 2026 (spring semester).Structure the purchase as a primary residence, so we can qualify for better mortgage terms.Include myself, my husband, and my daughter on the mortgage application to strengthen our position and meet the owner-occupied requirement.Convert the property to a full rental down the road once she graduates.We think the $30,000 should cover a 5–10% down payment plus closing costs under the primary residence structure, and the property would serve as both a short-term housing solution and a long-term investment.Would love advice from the community on:Does this sound like a smart way to combine student housing with a first-time real estate investment?