Do a market survey to see what your competitors are charging.

The book is about how entrepreneurs can succeed by not battling competitors, but rather by creating ″blue oceans″ of uncontested market space. 

There are so many factors - such as the cost & availability of housing, the number of competitors, etc. - that this is more art than science, and that frustrates me

Largely due to a larger competitor ousting my bids (has a corporately guaranteed lease.)

I am sure your company has competitors, and that you have contacts into those companies.

They usually know what is going on with competitors etc. 4d.

If it were me, I buy with seller financings in order to work out the title and terms details.In the meantime, you can seek to control the opportunity with an asignment and a way to cloud title that thwarts would-be competitors from snaking your deal.

Start low, get a lot of good feedback, then price based on the amount of competitors and their average price.

I was the one that brought up if he had problems losing tenants and mentioned the other competitors...which are in all admission large corporate run outfits....They might offer a sweetener to steal a tenant away however they'll also be the first to put the screws to someone so to speak once you are in their property.  

There are plenty of success stories within my company and my competitors companies that disprove the turnkey haters.