Do you hire a management company/companies to handle the properties?

Since i will be forming my own property management company once things grow to the point where it would make sense to hire a property management company. 

I hire a photographer for all of my listings, makes a big difference.

Perhaps you hire a prospector, or a real estate agent to help send you deals.

Great initial customer service, friendly sales guy, hired local appraiser, then I didn't hear anything for 2 weeks. 

So my question is; before I list it with her should I hire a private appraisal and get my listing price from that or go with what she thinks and wait for a buyer to get it appraised.

Hire out the $10/hour stuff?

If you want a tie-breaker,  you can hire a structural engineer for around $400 - they will give you a clear statement as to what is needed.Also, be sure to consider the age of the house and where you are lifting e.g. near a bath, kitchen or other potential drain line) - if it is an older house and has cast iron pipes, you will probably have some plumbing work when you are done lifting. 

This can help later when you start hiring it out.

Flips sound like I would really enjoy doing them more, but I have extremely limited knowledge in fixing/repairing homes and don't have much extra time to spend doing it, so I think the "fun" part of having a flip I wouldn't be able to participate in and would just have to hire out.