Rental comps - how?

[Sam Leon]

how do you all get a feel for rental rates and terms in an area?

I basically do two things, drive around to see for rent signs, call up a few and get to know their asking rent, pet policy, security deposit etc...

I also look up a few sites to do the same. Zillow I like more than others because of the map feature and allows you to visualize anyone close by quickly.

but those are asking rates

is there a source for how much they actually rented for, and when?

I assume much of that info is not a available when its a private landlord, but what about when the rental was handled by a realtor and marketed via MLS?

Is there a way to see those numbers? Any web site?