Rentometer,
This is the type of site that shows why maps mashups are so popular; when the right data is displayed on a map it just comes to life. Rentometer will let you know if you are paying too much, too little, or just the right amount of rent for your unit type and area. It's incredibly cleran and straightforward interface makes it a breeze to use. It utilizes Yahoo! maps and "data from publicly available sources on the internet and in print". The site comes from iiProperty, a national property management firm -- this will definitely raise their profile. I would like it if they made their data sources clearer, but the data doesn't seem to be outrageous for the areas that I checked.
[via Providence Geeks]
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Still doesn't take into account important things such as square footage and other amenities.
Doesn't take into account that there are other rents besides apartments out there.
I am looking at these mash-ups with mixed feelings. I am all for online transparency, but does this example (and I am sure others) not spell out the development towards a fully unified vanilla rent structure?
Of course I want to know whether I am paying too much or, more importantly, how much I should be paying when moving to a new area. But what about if my landlord finds out that all my neighbours are paying a third more than I do?
Lev, that's why you need to get rent control. They can raise your rent, but only on a regular schedule.
I'm guessing that they are using the data of their clientbase, or at least supplementing a larger dataset with their own data. While it naturally skews toward apartment buildings, they also cater to the small-time landlord. It's a good play--get your name out there for those DIY landlords to find you.
Of course I want to know whether I am paying too much or, more importantly, how much I should be paying when moving to a new area. But what about if my landlord finds out that all my neighbours are paying a third more than I do?
I thought it was fairly obvious that the data they are using is supplied by the users. Every time a a rent-o-meter users inputs thier data, thats becomes a data point.
I use this service as a nice quick scan to eliminate promoters and jokers who are showing me real estate investment deals where the rents numbers are inflated. You can't go wrong with this service for the price and I promote it in my book "The 3 Secret Pillars of Wealth" because it is FREE.
Ya mine says I am paying too much but it has been recently renovated and it's all bills paid, so I think it's fair.
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Wayne [10.10.06 12:33 AM]
Yahoo! Maps or Google Maps? The picture has Google's logo...unless they bought more than just YouTube recently. ;)