We rent an apartment and hope to buy a home to live in sometime in the next 2 years (holding off for career/location situation), probably in NJ. 

Or do you want to get out of it into a more RE-focused career, that might offer up more flexibility? 

You’ve worked hard to save, budget, and build a little nest egg, and you’re just looking for somewhere to park it for a few years with the possibility of earning some interest.

This is where the real estate brokers really earn their money and while I bag on brokers every day in regards to their not representing the buyers I do have a lot of respect for their knowledge in regards to the contract laws and the fact that they always protected me to make sure the properties transferred with no snags and no lawsuits.

I would consider selling the house and buying 1 4-plex where you can earn almost exponential profits when you increase the rents and the rent increases increase the value of the property.

., the decision comes with your time horizon and where you're at in your investing career.

The Mr earns @ $100k on his W2 job.

Yes, you can technically trade and manage your own brokerage account on your own but what is your time and expertise worth when there is an entire business, career, and profession dedicated to knowing everything there is to selecting the best assets for your investment. 

Good luck in your career.

My name is Brad and I just got my first real career job where I'll actually be able to set money aside and not continue living paycheck to paycheck (Wahoo!).