Paid platforms often offer additional features like market analytics, off-market property leads, and filters for investor-specific criteria, giving them a leg up over free options.Exactly, most platforms have to offset cost somewhere because of how expensive it is to keep the data up to date.

Look at their marketing strategy.

Study the market.

Sell our house (~$700k) and invest in 2–3 smaller rental properties in the Houston area, a market we’re familiar with.

If they change their mind, I put the property back on the market and look for a new tenant.

YOU just have to market to the right people.

Currently, I'm analyzing different markets to see which one will best match my strategy.

or market to Lenders for refi's ? 

Supposedly, they connect sellers with brokers and homebuyers in each market.

.- If they are more reasonable you may want to accept if for now, but let them know you'd be doing regular increases to get the rent more inline with market rent.Too many newbies here will tell you to get market rent or get rid of the tenant.