Also if I do end up hiring another agent, what should I be looking for in a good agent.

I plan to invest in nj where house appreciates well. how to do I find the true appreciation rate for certain towns ?

Also, I've seen several property management companies in the area do a $75+ water / sewer surcharge per month, depending on how many people are living at the property, it can go up $25 or so. 

I also cater to how they do things if they already have existing books.

Managing it, and building a relationship with the city will make it easier for you to start investing in non section 8 rentals and doing the work it needs to get them approved by the program.

Is there anything that I should do to make sure that the fund doesn't go behind my back to get the property?

You'd have to do some homework on market demographics & what highest & best use would be for the property.

I would take some time to do some research around markets that are investor-friendly and reach out to agents, investors, and property managers to pick their brains and evaluate.  

My area of specialty has been in condos, and my wife and I do all our own property management.

I do not really care about making profit.