The best defense against rats entering your property is to seal off all entry points (holes, cracks in walls), remove food sources (dirty dishes, food left in trash cans), and water sources (like leaks). 

The margins are tight which increases risk.

Start at a higher price point (not too high maybe 10%-20% higher than what you expect to rent for) then each week lower it just a bit until you get it rented out. 

We are in a constricted market cycle, low volume, strained budgets, high costs.

Quote from @Michael Wheeler: Highly recommend the RAL Academy.

Coffered ceilings, low corner additions etc.Anyone can slap lipstick on a pig, looking for high value add in high demand markets is where the $ is.

BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

•If there’s high competition (many active rentals in the area), you won’t be able to price at the top of the market since tenants will have plenty of options.3.

Flippers - I'm advising clients to pass on deals where DOM are high across the board.

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.