Hiring an assistant will take place once you have 75 - 100 doors, maybe more.

HIWe are Canadians and have been investing in the US for 8 years now We have learn a lot from early mistakes  and are more then willing to shar what we have discovered with anyone who wants to chat.

So, the actual increase to market rent will be much lower.

We will be rebuilding the house that burned down. 

I am buying a duplex about 80k under what it will appraise for.

You have to be willing to sell your properties and access the equity to buy up. 

I will reach out to you via DM.thanks,Srini

They will save you time and money. 

Quote from @Carson Hyland: Even if you buy the right property, failing to manage it well will kill your cash flow. 

IF you plan on going back someday, and this is the home you want to move back to, then renting it would be a good idea as long as you estimate that it will cover itself, or preferably, cash flow, which it appears that yours will at @ $2K or so per month (after expenses).