How to set rent that maximizes income

Rent that’s too low leaves money on the table every month; rent that’s too high leaves you with a costly vacancy. Here’s a repeatable way to land in the right range for any unit.

Start with real comparables

Pull five to eight active and recently-rented listings within a half-mile that match your unit’s bed/bath count, square footage, and condition. Active listings tell you the ceiling; rented listings tell you what the market actually paid.

Adjust for what you actually offer

• In-unit laundry, parking, and outdoor space each move the number measurably.
• Condition and finishes matter more than raw square footage at the margins.
• Including utilities? Back that monthly cost out of your headline rent.

Price for momentum, then hold

Set the number slightly below the top comp to drive applications in the first week, then hold firm. A unit that rents in seven days at $1,950 beats one that sits for a month chasing $2,000.