If you want appreciation, identify markets with expanding industries, positive growth trends, and bright economic forecasts.Columbus, Ohio is a great market to consider if you're leaning towards that appreciation!

I wouldn't want to take the capital gains tax hit so personally I would lean towards a 1031 with a lower maintenance property. 

I'm leaning towards selling before I need to dump a bunch of money into the property, but I'm second guessing myself because I'm sitting at a 3.25% interest rate and cash flowing close to $1,000/month before reserves. 

I would lean towards house hacking your first rental.

If the rents are low and it's difficult to fill, you'd be better off selling the property.The value of the property will continue to go up over time, so I'd lean towards holding, but you'll want to look at the market you are in before committing to a long-term cash-out refinance.

Columbus, Ohio could be a great option to consider if you're leaning towards appreciation.

It's a great market to consider if you're leaning towards appreciation.

Go there and you can ask a few to reach out to you.Secondly, we usually lean on other investors on their recommendations of who they have worked with in the past.  

You can also lean on some other real estate investors in your area on who they use. 

Increasing vacancy often means keeping rents low and offering concessions.And while you will sometimes see "merchant builder" developers self manage with their lean team to just get a deal ready to sell, this deal is managed by Willow Bridge, who manages 180,000 units.