Research the market, use data analysis tools, build a team with experienced professionals, and practice deal analysis.

Just to give further data to the equation. 

One of the biggest lessons I've learned as an STR cohost, marketer & investor-friendly Realtor is the importance of thorough market research and setting up your listing based on data.

Considering paying but there doesn't seem to be any guarantee or data to help me make the decision.

For the first one there is a ton of data available on markets through the BP website that you may want to jump into and analyze.For the second one, $300 would be considered great to one person and a waste of time to others.

Ask the tenant to come up with a reasonable offer based on the data so you can work together to keep them there.Almost all tenants come in $100-$150 under the market rate.It's a win-win.

Be careful and don't fall for the trap of believing if you can scrape together the down payment funds that's all you need.

@Brett Jurgens if data is non-partisan, yes, it could be helpful if one can access it and knows how to interpret it.

That's according to The Business Journals' inaugural hottest housing markets ranking, which is based on third-quarter listing and sales data from Intercontinental Exchange Inc. 

Data/lists you pull matter.