You don't need a hard number but you should be going for a soft commitment of fair market value for the property and condition.

With a W2 employee, you'll have a plethora of soft costs and responsibilities that you won't have with a 1099.  

After reading this stuff I think I will not offer the free months rent anymore and charge market rate, in a soft rental market I don't think the free month works, and will just attract deadbeats that will cost you more anyway.

Markets are cyclical and US stocks have been getting expensive, despite the soft economy.  

I am probably too soft heart for landloard.

that is a tough one.but try :Lima one VisioLendinghomeexpect to pay soft money rates.. not as good as bank and not as high as short term HML

They may do a soft inquiry prior to your clear to close.  

As the saying goes " A hard head makes a soft behind" Through my many sleepless nights thinking about break-ins and riding by houses at 1am to check on them I have surely changed my feelings about certain neighborhoods and would rather be able to sleep with the 20%.

The other is that you eliminate hazards that can be the basis of a suit, just in case there really is an ambulance chasing attorney with a soft spot out there.

You definitely need to factor in your soft costs on this.