After paying a competitive rate for the property management and ASSET management that the small operator does himself.  

While competition hadn't changed dramatically, we noticed some of the competition had pushed up rents on other 3 and 4 BRs in the area.  

PM business from what I hear is pretty tough and competitive business. 

You have to adjust your expectations to match current reality, which includes higher mortgage rates, higher prices, more expensive taxes and insurance, more competition, etc.

If you've got people fighting over your listing and competition trying to get into the unit, then you're too low.  

Check to see how many contacts a listing has received in X amount of days to see if it is competitively priced.

I'd lower the price slightly below your competition and get real reviews.Be customer focused.

IMO it is necessary in competitive markets. 

By the way the recent underwriting that i referenced above showed the purchase would be cash negative first year and sustaining for extended duration, but i still made a competitive offer.

When cycle gets tougher then those marginal agents sales dry up and they go back to that j-o-b especially since they did not save and spent all their money on trips, bigger houses, nicer cars,etc.Good LuckI hope you are one of the few that make it long term. 14 years in the business and still having record sales year after year.The best nugget of info I can give is constantly out learn your competition.