Tough to predict ten years out, none of the data providers go out further than five.According to CoStar, 1-3 star office properties in Poway have a 3.4% vacancy that trends up gradually to 6% by 2022, with consistent negative absorption of about 2500 sf / quarter.

I have had a similar situation and opted for a gradual rent increase.  

I thought the difference is I depreciate part of those gradually - only part of it counted as building value can be depreciated, vs. immediately count as expense when purchase? 

A lot of times, they will start high and gradually come down when the reality of the market shows them what they can actually get as opposed to what some BPO tells them.

Eventually I'll gradually move along to Fix & Flip, moving into Buy and Hold any many other REI ventures. 

But, we do not plan on staying in our current house forever so that doesn't seem like too much weight should be put into that.

Yes I understand that at end of day it'll still need to rely on buyer due dilligence to verify and it's a risk management decision, but tax return filing does carry more weight than seller's income/expense statement in my mind. 

Ask 1,000 people and get 1,000 different answers.A good property manager is worth their weight in gold.

Do you put more weight on long-term price appreciation (with better tenants on average)?

A good local handyman is worth his weight in gold