When you’re confident in your numbers, you can negotiate with clarity and avoid being swayed by emotions.Understand the Other Party’s MotivationEvery seller has a reason for selling.

Spend a little more money than you might have been planning to, buy in a better area (i.e. not a “turn key” 100k house off the mls), and self manage.

Udemy and Coursera have affordable options, and they could help you feel more confident when pitching yourself.It sounds like you’re in a great position to get started.

To answer your question, no I do not use a PM, I've been self managing for a few years.

With regard to renovations, I always suggest taking incremental steps to bigger renovations or partnering with someone who has already done a renovation at that level.I've been known to just go for the big rehabs for my personal investments here in Chicago , and during that process, it's always more stressful than it needs to be...As far as navigating the competition, I've found the best thing I can do is get EXTREMELY CLEAR  on what I am looking for; then I am confident pulling the trigger quicky. 

We use self contained bathrooms on a trailer. 

I'd be confident you'll have many takers.

Then do everything you can to study that specific real estate niche and then start to partner of some deals to help you gain experience and confidence.  

Currently, I self manage using software program that centralizes the majority of information and messaging and pushes to all the platforms that we list the properties on. 

If you seem like you are just gathering information to self-manage than they will likely blow you off.