BiggerPockets

We are very modern, but have been old-fashioned in our approach to renting our apartments using the local newspaper for ads.

The price has gone thru the roof, with the smallest of classified ad costing $50 for one Sunday. We post ads probably 50% of all Sundays. The cost is killing us and the results are declining.

We are looking to modernizing by expanding to the internet, at first, and maybe even transitioning to it, eventually.

Any tips? Suggestions? Sites? DOs? DON'Ts?

Ditto here on Craiglist as well as Backpage but I actually got a better response from my yard signs. Considering the cost, they're certainly the best bang for your buck.

If you follow this strategy, You'll definitely fill your vacancy.

Post hand written signs around the neighborhood of your property.

2/1 for rent
Call 555-XXXX
Move in today!

You'll be surprised at the amount of calls you get!

We definitely have had a lot of calls just from our yard sign alone. I'll probably post also on Craigslist this weekend. I'm hoping between those two methods we can avoid the high cost of newspaper ads, but we'll see.

I haven't used a newspaper ads in quite some time - years really.

Craigs List and Yard signs are the way to go for sure. This week alone I put owners into 4 properties on land contract just using craigs list - I ran out of signs! they will be ready next week but will not need them this round.

Understand it takes time - you may get calls everyday - you may not. Last week was slow this week was unreal - same ads.

But I generally get more targeted called from the yard signs.

I have done many tests with and without photos - sending people to my site with photos and video's and frankly I have found that it really doesn't matter. In fact - I got lazy this week and didn't post a single photo on CL and still 4 homes sold.

The key is to mix it up - don't keep placing the same ad over and over - try different things.

Backpage works great in some cities across the US and not at all in others - i have had mixed results with them. Some cities I get nothing - some cities I get a lot.

I prob. get more calls from CL but more targeted calls from the signs.

Originally posted by Jeffrey Koenig

Jose,

It must be that facial hair that gets the tenants in, because if I posted that I would get a bunch of calls that would waste my time. That tells you nothing.

Thanks Jeff! I'm just sharing what works for me.
:wink:

Just posted an ad on CL last night and received 3 calls today from that ad. As at the end of the ad I asked if callers could mention they saw the ad on CL and those three callers did mention they saw it there. Tells me the ad is getting interest :D