@Stephanie SelbyRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Reach out via PM and we can exchange info, if you like.  

Something basic and simple, shows a property, the numbers, the potential return, how to cash out investors, how to document taxable spending etc.  

When I moved out I kept as rental.

Out of state and contracted it? 

Thus creating a monopoly that I don't know how to get out of.

You are young and presumably single, so living in a master suite while renting out some other rooms is easy.

If you're in a high-cost area, consider out-of-state markets where you could buy a rental property outright. 

I was working through the HELOC process since we have quite a lot of equity when I suddenly got denied because 1 of the 5 units is owned by someone who lives overseas and rents out his unit.

contingencies are awesome to let you string out time if you need it.