Resources for Rental Data

[Lance Dengate]

2 Part question... 

1st - Where would be a good resource for data for rental prices for a specific area? I can find what things are currently going for through websites like Zillow and Craigslist but I'm also curious to know what things actually rent for in the area.

2nd - I have some buyer's whose property manager told them if they wanted to get top value for a rental that they needed to replace all of the appliances with Stainless Steel and replace all of the countertops to Granite. Now granted the current countertops are Formica and the appliances are white but it great working order?

Would love feedback and thoughts?