If you hire a friend or just pick someone randomly you will get mediocre results.  

I have three homes, some of which I've subdivided into individual units, one of which has an attached granny, one a remodeled garage studio, and another in which I just remodeled the master suite add-on into a large studio.

We have a close friend there and together we can close a deal faster.

Do you have any, or are there any investor friendly agent or property manager in North or East Alabama who can share some insights?

Be friendly.

Try finding an investor-friendly agent who may have cash buyers. 

It is landlord-friendly, and specific pockets have gone upwards of 2-4x in the last 5-10 years.

Have you reached out to friends, local groups, businesses, schools, hospitals, etc. telling them about your rental and the special promotion you are offering to their members?

As a rental tenants won't always take the best care and I don't want to be disappointed when there are holes in the wall-and there will be.You my friend, might be too much in love-so don't bid like a lover.

Another recommendation is to look for investor-friendly agents.