This is a classic case of trying to let the taxes dictate the investment decision.

Both times I was happy with the decision, so I think either decision will be fine, pending your location. 

And that my friend, is why my 1.2M is legit sitting still lol Dont want to make the wrong decision! 

My spouse was the primary decision-maker, and I’m unsure whether to keep my share, sell, or hire a property manager.For those who’ve faced similar situations, what worked best for you?

The decisions and actions you make today can lead to incredible long-term benefits, so it's great that you're starting now.A good starting point is connecting with a lender that aligns with your goals.

Just saying I have a lot of equity and want to make money with it, is not enough to make prudent decisions.

@Dominic Mazzarella Those are good points to keep in mind, and factors any investor should look at when making the decision to invest. 

Quote from @Kody Smith: without getting too deep into my finances, what my strategy is...1. take loans to buy properties (leverage)2. fix/flip for day to day cash flow income3. use some of the fix/flip income to buy consistent cash flow through:- business acquisition, - commercial properties (MF and store fronts),I have no intention of doing ALL of the management myself, I will hire management as needed (medium term goal)my expected core role is money provider, evaluating the numbers, making decisions, and connecting with investors, wholesalers, lenders, contractors, and property owners.while I am just on step 2 of the journey, I am looking toward step 3 to stabilize, and not worry about if house prices drop mid project or not (or not worry as much) So to be fair this is more about obtaining and growing a real estate business not simply buying rentals for cashflow.

What other people get is immaterial to your decision.

This decision often comes down to a simple numbers game.