2BR or 3BR Townhouse?

[Kevin Huang]

We're thinking about buying a 3BR townhouse in Pittsburgh (Cranberry area), PA as rental property.

Market rent seems to be ~$1700. I'm a bit hesitant, because if I ask a tenant to pay $1700, wouldn't he/she prefer to just buy a house, and pay the same amount of money for mortgage? (I guess I can ask the same question for all the renters out there)

For other investors in the Pittsburgh area, is it easier to rent out a 2 or 3BR townhouse?

TIA