Conventional with or without hard as a supplement will depend on your cash position compared to the deals you find. 

This guarantees a faster and more certain decision compared to our competition.

I'm hoping that you can develop an understanding of different questions to ask and what things to compare in different markets.

I'd run the numbers and compare them to your short and long term goes.Calculate how much rent you could increase over the next 5-10 years, same with inflation.What's your ROI now vs in 5 years with how much maintenance and other misc purchases you'll have to make.

He may just do it for half the price if you ask him that compared to the other two bids.Win, win.

I tried to use Rentometer but they weren't unable to find any comparable sfh either.

I always tend to value them based more on the comparable sales method...

After my quick screen, if I'm still interested in the property, I'll usually pull some comparable rentals from Zillow Rentals or Trulia to verify it for myself.

In your opinion what is the best way to analyze and compare markets? 

Compared to you, not much, I am sure.