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.

@Leela Gutta the assessed values of homes for property taxes still remain very low compared to CA.

I’ve looked at avail, turbo tenant, innago and a few others but it’s hard to compare across them all.

They cannot find a comparable place for less (even with this increase they are below the current rent market. 

Although I am seeing that it is harder to cash flow on some of the properties that I am purchasing now as compared to the properties that I purchased a few years ago, but I am still able to do it a bit. 

I don’t believe you need to allocate more for a STR compared to a LTR, but should consider the life of the property and what expensive items might need to be replaced/age of these items such as the furnace, A/C, roof, water heater etc.

A rental property takes a bigger hit on pricing compared to a owner occupied or second home2.