Researching Rental Prospects for specific areas?

[Holly Yankus]

I may not know how to word this correctly, but does anyone know of an easy way to research the rental prospects for a certain area (ie: how much places go for, how quickly and consistently they are occupied, quality of renters, etc). Is this just something that can only be found by networking and stalking renter sites or is there an easier way to get some of this info? I am looking at Pinellas and possibly Pasco counties in Florida. Most likely cities of Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin.