Looking for advice on renting out my current home (Sacramento – Natomas area)

My wife and I are planning to move out of our current 4-bedroom, ~1700 sq ft home (Natomas, near the high school). The plan is to move in with my in-laws so we can save up and eventually buy a larger home with a better backyard for our growing family — we have one child now and plan for more.

Long-term, I’ve always wanted to keep this house as a rental property while purchasing another home to live in. We’re aiming to move out around July 2026.

I’m looking for advice on how to get started: • What steps should I take to turn my current home into a rental? • Any book or resource recommendations for first-time landlords? • How do I figure out a fair rental price? (Our current mortgage/“lease” is just under $2,500/month.) • Do I need a lawyer or property manager? • Any tips on screening tenants? I’d prefer to rent to professionals for peace of mind.

Basically — for those who’ve been down this road, what should I do now to set myself up for success?

Thanks in advance!