But you can look up vacancy rates on websites like rentcafe or rentometer.  

I start with market rent or a little less to reduce vacancy.

This level of service is NOT typical for the Lehigh Valley, and it’s certainly not what we’ve experienced with our PM or others we know in the area.A property manager should be proactive in tenant placement, responsive to inquiries, and transparent about efforts to fill vacancies.

I run sum numbers for you please see comments below before refinancing and post refinancing .If I were in your position, I would approach it as follows:Initial Investment Assumptions: Market Value: $360,000 Purchase Price: $360,000 Equity: $0,000Financial Breakdown: Hard Money Loan (LTV 100%): $360,000 Interest Rate: 10% (30-Year Amortization) Monthly Payment: $1,995Upfront Costs: Origination fee (1%): $3,600 Closing Costs (3%): $10,800 Renovation Costs: $10,000 2 Month of Carrying Costs During Renovation: $5,390Total Upfront Required: $29,790Total Capital InvestmentPurchased price $360,000 Upfront Costs $29,790Total: $389,790To make this investment work, you need to rent the whole property for at least $3,165/month, refinance it let say after one year with 5% interest with a traditional mortgage.Year One Rent: Monthly Rent Income: $3,165 Monthly Rent Losses during renovations (2 Months): -$6,330 (-$527/month distributed over 12 months) Total Rent Income: $31,650 per year => $ 2,638 per monthMonthly Expenses: Hard Money Loan Payment (10% Interest): $1,995 / per month interest only Property Tax (Assuming $3,000/year): $250 per month Property Insurance (Assumption): $100 per month Utilities (Hydro, Gas, Water): $292 per month Assuming 0% Vacancy first year Assuming 0 % Repairs & Maintenance first year because unit has been recently renovated Total Monthly Expenses: $2,637Monthly Net Cash Flow: $1Post-Renovation Refinancing Strategy:So far, we’ve purchased the property, completed renovations, and rented it out.Next, you can approach the bank for a refinance to consolidate your initial investment of $29,790 plus your 360k debt into a mortgage.

These lease breaks will cost me 100s of man hours trying to fill these vacancies, repairing damage left behind, and pursuing the civil cases.

If a unit is $1500 without water and another unit is $1650 because it includes water that Averages $150/month with tenants that are not conserving because the LL pays the water, the $1500 unit will get many more people to look at it when trying to fill the vacancy. 

I would approach them saying that you are working on a business model to help landlords lower vacancy and are looking for feedback, ask if you can buy them lunch.But I still wouldn't do that- just start an STR management company and be really good at what you do.

I would factor more vacancy as you might get more turnover compared to other suburbs. 

When analyzing your offer, make sure to factor in operating expenses, rehab costs, and vacancy rates.

From my analysis it looks like shortest vacancies are in SouthWest Fort Worth, while fastest appreciation is in Anna/Melissa.