This is how I started out - it was not passive, even though I hired contractors to do the work and property managers to manage the tenants.  

However, whatever route you go make sure you hire an independent agent rather than captive so they can shop the entire market for you! 

The smartest thing to do is to hire a bookkeeper now who has experience working with real estate investors.

It feels like it should scale pretty easily, and you should be able to hire either a bookkeeper or some kind of virtual assistant to help out.

Otherwise, hire a pro to help maintain it.

My seller disagreed with the first scope result and hired 4 more companies to scope it.

I hired a surveyor to do a site plan, which he did and which he stamped.

You should really hire and talk to a CPA/tax professional.

@Tracy YenWhen I was faced with the same options you have, I went and hired a life coach.

But I once did one to save a couple thousand bucks, and it cost nearly that much just to hire the Qualified Intermediary.Also, I found myself wanting to move into the property I exchanged, which is a no-no without allowing a couple of years to pass under a safe harbor.