How to determine if I will be able to rent my buy and hold

[Paul Altman]

Hello

I am searching for SFR and 1-4 unit buy and holds in other markets but am having trouble figuring out how to determine the likelihood that the properties Im looking to buy will actually rent once they're ready. I have gone to Zillow and looked at other rentals available in the area to see how long they have been listed and notice that some have been sitting for several months. The neighborhoods I am looking at are nice but affordable (80K-120K price points), with well kept properties, good schools zones and highly populated.

I imagine in many cases the problem is simply that the rent price is set too high but what other factors could cause rentals to sit on the market? Are there other sites or data available or other factors to consider to help me determine which areas to buy in without having to worry about them sitting vacant?

THANK YOU