Rentometer: Find out if you're getting hosed on rent
Rentometer is a useful mashup, one that's part scientific, and another pure speculation. The idea is simple: just plug in your ZIP code, the size of your dwelling, and how much you're paying, and Rentometer will cross-check your price with local property listings pulled in from parent company iiProperty. Results show up on two screens, one that's a little bit like a speedometer, and another that's simply a Google Map with nearby property listings.
This is a great service if you're apartment hunting, since you can see if the price is higher or lower than others in the area. It's also helpful if you want to see if you're getting a deal, or paying too much for your current living situation.
Of course, the system is inherently flawed, since landlords and property owners who get wind of this system can jack up their rates accordingly. Likewise, it doesn't take into account things like parking spots, security, and whether units are standalone, or part of complexes. Also, newer buildings, and units with more square footage can sometimes create huge price differentials, even on the same block.
The service has an open API for enterprising real estate or rental Web site owners who want to add cost context to their property listings.
Check out Rentometer to figure out if you're getting a good deal on rent, or whether you're getting hosed by your landlord.
(Credit: CNET Networks)
Josh Lowensohn is an associate editor for Webware.com, CNET's blog about cool and otherwise useful Web applications and services. If you've found a site you'd like profiled, shoot him an e-mail. E-mail Josh.
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Thank you for reviewing the Rentometer.
We would like to give you some more information on how our site works.
We created the Rentometer to bring renters and owners together. Both groups use the site and therefore, they are viewing the same information. Renters use it to compare rents in their neighborhood and to monitor change. Owners use it to help check the current market rates when deciding what to charge for a new vacancy.
We don't actually cross reference inquiries with iiProperty data. We cross reference Rentometer inquiries with active listings internet-wide. We currently have over one million data points in the system updated daily, and weekly.
We only use data from iiProperty if the owner specifically wants us to, by posting their active listing to the Rentometer directly. In that case, the owner initiates the post. Since their iiProperty post is the same listing we help them push to other top listing sites (other than our own), there simply is no "jacking up" of the price. Owners want to rent their vacancies, and therefore, they use the Rentometer to keep their pricing competitive in the market and appealing to renters.
Where does Rentometer data come from?
We receive active listings from owners, managers and other classified listing sites who want to "feed the meter". We also search for viable listing data daily.
In addition, we cleanse the data with our proprietary algorithms that ensure the results will not be skewed one way or another.
Since we have great interest from renters, owners are interested in sending us their data and their full listings.
Since our users who are renters like the simple search method, we encourage owners to show off their amenities by adding these details to their data point, including photos. This is a free service for owners.
The system does take into account free standing units vs those part of a larger complex. We also indicate that a higher priced unit may have features which make it a great deal.
Check out our top ten link.
We have more new features in the works for the Rentometer.
We appreciate your review very much. We always appreciate comments and requests.
Thanks again!
Allison Atsiknoudas
CEO
Investment Instruments Corporation
http://Rentometer.com
http://iiProperty.com
Thank you for reviewing the Rentometer!
We would like to give you some more information on how our site works.
We created the Rentometer to bring renters and owners together. Both groups use the site and therefore, they are viewing the same information. Renters use it to compare rents in their neighborhood and to monitor change. Owners use it to help check the current market rates when deciding what to charge for a new vacancy.
We don't actually cross reference inquiries with iiProperty data. We cross reference Rentometer inquiries with active listings internet-wide. We currently have over one million data points in the system updated daily, and weekly.
We only use data from iiProperty if the owner specifically wants us to, by posting their active listing to the Rentometer directly. In that case, the owner initiates the post. Since their iiProperty post is the same listing we help them push to other top listing sites (other than our own), there simply is no "jacking up" of the price. Owners want to rent their vacancies, and therefore, they use the Rentometer to keep their pricing competitive in the market and appealing to renters.
Where does Rentometer data come from?
We receive active listings from owners, managers and other classified listing sites who want to "feed the meter". We also search for viable listing data daily.
In addition, we cleanse the data with our proprietary algorithms that ensure the results will not be skewed one way or another.
Since we have great interest from renters, owners are interested in sending us their data and their full listings.
Since our users who are renters like the simple search method, we encourage owners to show off their amenities by adding these details to their data point, including photos. This is a free service for owners.
The system does take into account free standing units vs those part of a larger complex. We also indicate that a higher priced unit may have features which make it a great deal.
Check out our top ten link.
We have more new features in the works for the Rentometer.
We appreciate your review very much. We always appreciate comments and requests.
Thanks again!
Allison Atsiknoudas
CEO
Investment Instruments Corporation
http://Rentometer.com
http://iiProperty.com