Can I manage a rental myself or should I hire a manager?

The short answer

Self-managing saves the typical 8–10% management fee and works well for nearby properties and organized owners. But don't let proximity pick your market: a strong market with a professional manager usually beats a weak one you can drive to. Hire out when you're remote, scaling past a few units, or when your time is worth more than the fee. Milo can help you build systems for either path.