BiggerPockets

After reading and seeing a lot of newspaper ads for rentals available, I have come to the conclusion that some of the wording in these ads must work a lot better at getting initial responses than others.

What are some of your tricks and verbage to stand out from the crowd?

Let's see a sample 3 bed/ 2 bath home listing for available rental..

I am trying to learn what to use and watch out for when using newspaper ads.

Thanks for any advice

Good point!

From my limited experience posting "for rent" ads is they simply don't read.. They see for rent and then go straight to the phone # and call and ask.

I have noticed I get more responses when I can include pictures of house. However, no matter how detailed I am in my posting 90% will call and literally ask me everything that I already posted..? just my .02

Some factors that I would consider when putting in a newspaper ad are:

* Number of bedrooms/baths.
* Amenities (Central Air/Full basement, Fenced, etc.,)
* School district (a biggy in my area)
* No pets (or pets ok), Sect 8 ok or not.
* Rent and deposit amount.

Those would be the basics.

As far as why people don't read the ad and ask a million questions, I actually think they do read it but by asking you questions (have done this myself) it's a way to open communication. As a landlord, I personal would welcome this because the more they ask gives me a better initial phone first impression of them. That's just me though.

In my area, they list the ads alphabetically, so having either the number of bedrooms first or something starting in A will get your ad closer to the beginning of the section and increase visibility.

Newspaper ads can get expensive. See if you can advertise on certain high-readership days.

One of the posters around here had good luck using humor (something like "Tired of your old drunk landlord?...").

For maximum bang steer prospects to your website where you can be as wordy as you please, post pictures, map directions, show a floorplan, include application and lease forms, and so forth.

Know your market. Do your tenants want good school districts (families)? Proximity to campus and bars (students)? Walking distance to bus stops and stores (low-income)?

While I still use newspaper ads, it has become one of my last choices.