First Time Landlord

[Brandon M.]

Hello,

 My wife and I are going to move across the country and are thinking about renting our Los Angeles condo out. We're just starting to look into our rental options, and we have a couple questions:

 1. Is it worth upgrading the appliances to make the place look nicer / get a higher rent? 

 2. Is it worth hiring a property manager or could we ask a colleague / friend (who hasn't been a landlord in the past) to oversee the property. 

Thanks!