Every so often I will look at my listing in private or incognito mode to make sure it's showing up to the general public.Closer to their stay, I text guests (who want it) a guest book that I put together with local restaurants, things to do, parking, etc. 

Create a weighted criteria chart, visit top markets, engage with local experts, and use resources for market analysis.

If you want to be an investor, sell the SFR and focus on MFR.I'm a local broker and investor here, and I manage over 100 investment properties (primarily creative and furnished rentals, Airbnb, etc). 

@Rajagopalarao PaidiRecognize time is also money if you are financing it and I have found without an agent will take longer to sell.Also are you local where you could manage all the showings, advertising etc?

I didn't even think to check my local govt on the regulations about rental property.

If you have significant resources you can start on your own, if not partnering with someone who brings some local knowledge can accelerate and stabilize your journey. 

@Eric LoweIf you cannot find a local firm, reach out to these experts who operate national firms:  @Bernard Reisz, @Yonah Weiss, @Julio Gonzalez. 

Locally, I look forward to soon having my VA loan seasoned to refinance and fully rent out, and acquire another property. 

I dont think anyone is forcing you to use them.. you could just list with your local broker.

Things like landscaping/snow removal and labor cost for repairs are going to be highly variable based on your market so you'd need to do your own research on the going rate by either talking to other local investors, running your own google search, or exploring basic services on thumbtack/angies list etc.