It's like asking whether you can lose weight if you don't exercise.

Sure I have doubts now that I’m midway through renovations…but I feel the contacts I’ve gained in a new city (electricians, plumbers, etc) are worth their weight in gold.

I'd recommend looking at costs. your build cost is going to be well over other homes because of the fixed costs like slab, Hvac, roof, etc. check the market drivers and weight the benefits of short term versus long term. long term is no furniture and help pays mortgage but at this size it doesn't really cover everything. we didn't find a lot of economies of scale in single family detached. can you build more than one unit?

If it’s dead weight, it goes."

You are going to have to weight that against your desire to transfer management.If you want to go down the path of outsourcing some of the burden, suggest you make a list of everything you do.

I am in the Tampa Florida market and they make a killing here and are worth their weight in gold to the owners of the community.  

A great Realtor is still worth their weight in gold though, but IMO, they are only 10 - 20%...

Would the value of the remodel increase the rents or the selling price that would out weight the cost? 

So it's weighted returns. 

I don't have any brand preferences personally (I use Fantasy Spas at most of my units but I'm sure there are alot of reputable options), but just make sure wherever you place it is built to handle that type of weight.