As another datapoint, I frequently check the web traffic of the big players as a proxy of popularity, investor views, etc.  

Web Developer checking in here. 

Therefore, you have to decide how you want to target people in order to get them to your site IE paying for clicks, web adds, SEO marketing, etc. 

E-mails on city web site.Thanks for being on our email list.

Hi all,Is there any resource on the web that can tell me how often rentals pop up in a certain area and how quickly they're snatched up?

Here are the duties that can be performed according to the FREC:Permissible Activities of an Unlicensed AssistantUnlicensed assistant is defined as support stafffor a real estate corporation or other licensed individuals.Answer the phone and forward callsFill out and submit listings and changes to any multiple listing serviceFollow-up on loan commitments after a contract has been negotiated and generally secure the status reports on the loan progressAssemble documents for closingSecure documents (public information) from courthouse, utility district, etc.Have keys made for company listings, order surveys, termite inspections, home inspections and home warranties with the.licensed employer's approvalWrite ads for approval of the licensee and the supervising broker, and place advertising (newspaper ads, update web sites, etc); prepare flyers and promotionalinformation for approval by licensee and the supervising brokerReceive, record and deposit earnest money, security deposits and advance rentsOnly type the contract forms for approval by licensee and supervising brokerMonitor licenses and personnel filesCompute commission checksPlace signs on propertyOrder items of repair as directed by licenseePrepare flyers and promotional information for approval by licensee and supervising brokerAct as a courier service to deliver documents, pick-up keysPlace routine telephone calls on late rent paymentsSchedule appointments for licensee to show a listed propertyBe at an open house for: o Security pulposeso Hand out materials (brochures)Answer questions conceming a listing from which the answer must be obtained from the licensed employer-approved printed information and is objective innature (not subjective comments)Gather information for a Comparative Market AnalysisGather information for an appraisalHand out objective, written infonnation on a listing or rental

Just last year, Forbes Magazine examined pet friendly rentals in the top 25 markets, and determined that Seattle’s pet friendly rental market is the second best in the US.

Every morning I wake up and the first thing I do is open my web and begin researching things about real estate.

Rentometer is telling me I'm on the low end of the bell curve but I don't know how much to trust that web site.

Type these into web search and you will be able to see what they are all about.