I didn't care for Rentometer and stopped using it but as  professional PM myself I use RentRange.com along with my PM software.

There will be a mortgage transfer as well, which will be taken care of through a refinance.Does anyone have any experience with this?

@Jessica Freese , Lucky you, this actually can be very beneficial for your taxes.1) If you husband makes less than roughly 100k,  the loss from rental can offset 25k of husbands' W-2 Income.2) Even if he makes more than 100k, Since you dont have a W-2 Job, with careful planning, you can qualify for RE professional status, that will help you use the entire loss from rentals against husbands' W-2 Income 3) You can convert some of your personal expenses into business expenses with the home office deductions, transportation expense ( mileage, depreciating computers, furniture, and other assets used for the rentals, and few more. 4) You can hire your kids and funnel money within the house if planned carefully. 

Screen the co-sign equally as carefully.

( who cares about the numbers on paper if people don't pay you rent ever. )I stay away from Below C areas. 

property is a duplex with a attic studio. now the attic studio has a separate entrance but no fire escape so that is a liability. however I will be house hacking and living in the attic and can't sue myself lol.The units seem extremely well kept from a first perspective a very well taken care of property it has off street parking and 3 parking slabs in the back. each unit is 2 bedroom 1 bath. avarage rent in the area I've seen 725 and 950 I've looked on centimeter and 800 850 is about avarage.

I know that most if not all fees for the maintenance and care of the property are included. 

He started off doing that part time while he was working at a W-2 job until he could afford to quit and take care of his family. 

Also think about their (in conjunction with your) future, the transition to take care of them when you are 50.

These two incentives combined can add up to $7000+ in move in costs alone never mind first and last months rent.So....considering that most people who can afford $3,000+ dollar apartments usually have good steady jobs, and are not the types of people who let their dogs crap all over their place, eat the woodwork, or otherwise destroy their home, I’m wondering what benefit I really get from having a deposit on hand.