Above 4 units is considered a commercial property.

For my first investment property, I’m looking at duplexes in the Cleveland heights and Lakewood areas and am wondering if I would get the best profit to effort ratio from self managing a long term rental or hiring a property manager and using it as a short term rental.

Because the Property Class dictates the Class of the tenant pool that the property will attract.

In Sacramento I had my property management rent to section 8 tenants.   

Property management.

Many are eager to secure properties before the spring season fully kicks into gear.

Anything 1m+ will be harder to sell (I am making assumptions on the price), there is simply a smaller pool of buyers.

I've used them for a few of my properties.

The landlord or property management company does.

The real deal with larger properties is you cannot rely on your property manager - you are doomed to fail.