I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations for a reliable property manager in the area.

This number accounts for the return if you sell in 5 years and allows me to compare various investment properties against each other on a long time horizon.

Do one task at a time in each app to compare apples to apples.Load a property with pictures and details.Market that property.See what your marketing looks like from the public's perspective.Submit a fake application to see how easy the process is.

My rent for comparable apts prior to buying were about the same, sometimes more, than my current mortgage.There's actually many things stopping me from making extra payments, all related to student loans. 

Additionally, when looking at cap rates, people often compare them to interest rates.

Compared to the primary market in Nova Scotia (Halifax), land and property values are a fraction of the cost in Cape Breton, yet the demand is dire.

I think not hiring a PM might be based on the following:1) How far you live from all your properties.2) If you have a very reliable handyman nearby your properties who can be a "point person" to asses issues when necessary.3) If you don't mind doing the advertising, interviewing and showing your properties when you have potential tenants.I have had 10 rentals until recently and I did all the PM work for 12 years.

Average rent was $1,981. 180205 (Cole, Whittier neighborhoods) - Rents increased 38.50% from 2011 to 2020, going from 13,499 renters in 2011 to 18,691 renters in 2020. 280247 (Windsor neighborhood) - Rents increased 31.80% from 2011 to 2020, going from 15,551 renters in 2011 to 20,493 renters in 2020. 280222 (Denver, Cherry Hills Village) - Rents increased 47% from 2011 to 2020, going from 8,446 renters in 2011 to 12,416 renters in 2020. 280202 (Downtown, Union Station area) - Rents increased 81.30% from 2011 to 2020, the fastest growing among the zip codes mentioned, going from 6,185 renters in 2011 to 11,214 renters in 2020. 280206 (Cherry Creek, Cheesman Park, Congress Park) - Rents increased 1.4% year-over-year as of 2019, with average rent of $2,454, the most expensive in Denver. 1For the Denver metro area overall, rents increased 0.2% from January to February 2024, a similar growth rate compared to the same period in 2023.

just dont compare 08 09 2011 2012  other wise your crying in your beer at least I was LOL

I'd double check actual rents in the neighborhood with comparable and if it's in line then it doesn't sounds unreasonable...