Property manager I spoke with would have fees of 7.9% and 1/2 first months rent on a new tenant.Is this the perfect time to manage our property or should I leave it to the professionals to save time and headache?

Use professionals and stop cutting corners..

You use non-professional version or Realtors.com, Zillow like everyone else.

We will definitely eventually engage a professional, but I wanted to check with you knowledgable folks first to make sure I have a solid strategy going into that discussion.The house was bought >10 years ago for 800k and is now worth between 2-3.3m per Redfin and Zillow.

Any/all thoughts guidance and professional recommendations are welcome.

Obviously this is during your analysis phase and I would think you would get your numbers validated by professionals.

Would like to connect with local Real Estate professionals and investors in the area before I return to California this weekend.

Each professional should have at least 15 years or more of experience in the area because I want to speak to those who have been in the game for a while and have extreme knowledge of where the area is going. 

What I learn from Bigger Pocket and my daily work life as an acquisition/contract professional, always put a "subject to"/ exit clause to your agreement. say for example subject to his performance or ROI of mentorship.

When an offer is accepted take the paperwork to a title company to open escrow, put down earnest money, inspect the trio and title reports, get the professional inspections you’d like to have done, negotiate the deal if necessary from your due diligence, make sure your financing is in place, and then close on the deal at the scheduled closing time.Take the keys and then get to work.