Scanning tactics for a town's rental demand

[Anthony C]

Hi all,

Among other things I look at to determine a city's rental demand I try to browse local property managers sites. If those sites show the prop mgr's themselves have say a dozen nice homes available for rent, this has been ruling that city out for me.

I figure if they can't get all their homes rented and they are the local professionals, things probably won't be easy for me either.

Agree? If not, why? If there's only a few available, maybe it's not too bad..but 5+, 10+?

I also check things such as the local craigslist and zillow for homes for rent, but the prop mgr's excess supply seems ominous.