Knowing your market’s competition is always very important; however with student rentals it is quite a bit different.  The rental/marketing agent must think outside the box and remember that students are willing to live with many people to a house in some instances.  Due to this, gauge the property being represented against not only similar types of buildings and rental complexes both on and off campus but also the cost of an entire home or basement apartment.  Many students think that the cost of a home shared with a bunch of their friends is cheaper than a student-housing complex when in fact, while the cost may be the same, the services and benefits are not always the same.  This is why the actual presentation of the benefits of residing in the property you are representing must be first class.