Since then I've read, and continue to read, numerous real estate and self-development books. 

If it's topped then getting out yesterday is the call.But there's an added element in your desire for your son. 

He discussed the numerous pros to hiring a company in the beginning.

Your in over your head with that many properties, I have been to numerous Philly auctions and there is a sea of people who will just outbid you to the point it’s not even a deal. 30 properties is not feasible and chances are half of them won’t even be auctioned that day.

There are numerous part time agents in this area doing in excess of $3 million annual volume.I know this comes down to my own goals and risk tolerance, but do any of you have an opinion or advice when deciding who to go with?

I got my mortgage through Shaneka Pedersen at Elements Financial. 

I'd want to check your math (because ROI of 14% seems high on student loan payoff), but I'd take 14% guaranteed ROI all day long.I think we'll see other opinions, though, as there is a 'personal preference' element to the question of reducing debt VS investing.Best of Luck with Your Real Estate Investing!

That property has been for sale for a while on numerous sites. 

While they're great and have invited me over numerous times for a beer and BBQ, I don't want to blur the lines of our Tenant/Landlord relationship.

Along the way the GC and subcontracted plumber mentioned numerous times that they found great news or thought of more efficient solutions (i.e. the mainline plumbing under the basement was intact--that they had assumed was all broken and needed replacing).