- \n
- Including quality photos and\/or a virtual tour of the property.<\/li>\n
- A detailed description of what tenants can expect from the property.<\/li>\n
- A full list of the features and benefits that come with your rental unit.<\/li>\n
- An appropriate price that falls in line with the market\u2019s supply and demand.<\/li>\n
- An eye-catching headline that will get noticed by the masses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Promoting the listing to the highest-traffic platforms.<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Getting your listing in front of the largest, most relevant audiences.<\/li>\n
- Keeping your listing front-and-center on your prospective tenant’s radar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Depending on the current supply and demand for rental properties in your area, finding a good tenant for your property can be a greater\u00a0challenge in some markets than in others. Nevertheless, the same general principles will\u00a0apply across the board in terms of how to create a solid listing, where to advertise your listing and how to draw in the most attention from the best renters in your market.<\/p>\n
Related:<\/strong> Are You Still Struggling to find Great Tenants? Struggle No More!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
How to Find a Tenant Part 1: Creating the Listing<\/h2>\n
To create a compelling listing for your rental property, you\u2019ll need to give your prospective tenants a solid case as to why your property is the right choice for them. Start by asking yourself a few questions:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Why would someone\u00a0want to call your property “home?”<\/li>\n
- What kind of unique benefits does your property have to offer?<\/li>\n
- How can your property stand out from the hundreds of other rental units in your area?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In short,\u00a0you’ll have\u00a0to sell them on it.<\/p>\n
The good news is, most properties are quite capable of selling themselves, but only if they’re priced right,\u00a0promoted adequately\u00a0and represented accurately\u00a0with a top-notch listing.<\/p>\n
It’s also worth noting that while it’s important to make your property look as appealing as possible, it’s equally important to represent your property in an honest way. When real estate investors are\u00a0wearing their “marketing hats,” they need to\u00a0constantly\u00a0fend off\u00a0the temptation to embellish what they’re selling, and when it comes to finding tenants for your rental units, the same rules apply.<\/p>\n
The truth is, you’re not doing the world\u00a0any favors by misrepresenting your property or “tricking” renters into thinking it’s something better than it actually is. A good\u00a0landlord\/tenant relationship is built on trust, so if you feel the temptation to give off false impressions about your property (however vague or innocent they\u00a0may seem to you), don’t do it.<\/p>\n
Getting Great Pictures<\/h3>\n
Most of us instinctively know that a decent set of property photos is an important\u00a0component of a good property listing (I can\u2019t imagine why anyone\u00a0wouldn’t<\/i>\u00a0include images in their rental listing). With that said, I think it\u2019s worth reiterating just how influential a good visual portrayal of your property can be.<\/p>\n
If you want to stand out in the market and find the right tenant NOW, you must give renters a good visual portrayal of your property.\u00a0Great photos won\u2019t just be informative; they will set you apart from your competition. If you want to catch the attention of the best tenants your market, there is no better way than to give a memorable first impression they simply cannot ignore.<\/p>\n
Especially if your property\u00a0has any kind of \u201cbeauty\u201d factor to it, it can be very much worth your while\u00a0to invest in some higher-end images and even videos of your property (this is precisely what most billionaire real estate investors do\u2014just check out any of\u00a0Donald Trump\u2019s websites<\/a>). Even if you need to hire a professional photographer or videographer, there are many instances where this can absolutely be worth the extra cost.<\/p>\n
Typical\u00a0Property Photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"tumblr_nfpodkXnvz1rrqskho1_500\"](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/tumblr_nfpodkXnvz1rrqskho1_500.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"tumblr_ncs8etBE7X1rrqskho1_500\"](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/tumblr_ncs8etBE7X1rrqskho1_500.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"tumblr_ndjx0aZQsN1rrqskho1_500\"](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/tumblr_ndjx0aZQsN1rrqskho1_500.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nSource: terriblerealestateagentphotos<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
Extraordinary Property Photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"fair2\"](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/fair2-702x336.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"fair](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/fair-1-702x336.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"fair](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/fair-4-702x336.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"fair](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/fair-2-702x336.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"fair](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/fair-8-702x336.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nSource: Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Think about it\u2014when was the last time you saw\u00a0photos of this caliber<\/em> on Craigslist?<\/p>\n
When you give a great visual representation of your property (as if viewing your listing is an “experience to behold”), the value proposition will be obvious.<\/p>\n
Related:<\/strong> 12 Easy Tips to Reduce Your Vacancy Rates and Find Great Tenants<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
It’s also worth noting that the subjects of your pictures don’t\u00a0necessarily need\u00a0to be beautiful\u00a0(although beauty certainly doesn’t hurt). If the quality of your pictures are\u00a0high enough, you’ll find that most things can be made to look surprisingly remarkable, which can add a new element of perceived value to your property.<\/p>\n
When you’re compiling these pictures of your property, be sure to include enough images\u00a0to give a thorough overview of the entire unit. At the very least, you should include pictures (preferably, with multiple angles) of these areas:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Kitchen<\/li>\n
- Bathrooms<\/li>\n
- Bedrooms<\/li>\n
- Front Yard, Side Yard & Back Yard<\/li>\n
- Extras, e.g. New Appliances, Pool, Patio, Porch, Garage\/Parking Area<\/li>\n
- A Floor Plan of the Unit (if available)<\/li>\n
- Exterior Shots of the Front & Back of the Property<\/li>\n
- The Address of the Property (along with the nearest major intersection)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
At the time of this writing, Craigslist allows for up to 24 pictures per listing, so don’t be bashful! Show your prospective renters\u00a0as many pictures as they’ll need to understand what your\u00a0property is all about.<\/p>\n
Detailed Description<\/h3>\n
A good description of your rental property should be both accurate and informative without<\/em> misrepresenting what the tenant will get if they choose to rent the property.<\/p>\n
Along the same lines as your photos, the description should talk about the primary features that the property has to offer. It helps to include a bulleted list, like this:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Kitchen (including any special features)<\/li>\n
- Number of Bedrooms\/Bathrooms<\/li>\n
- Square Footage of the Building<\/li>\n
- Lot Size (typically in acres)<\/li>\n
- Location\/Neighborhood\/Schools<\/li>\n
- Garage (if any), Parking, Number of Stalls<\/li>\n
- Extras, e.g. New Appliances, Pool, Big Yard, Back Deck, Fireplace, etc.<\/li>\n
- Any Recent Updates or Renovations, e.g. Windows, Doors, Appliances<\/li>\n
- Any Unique Characteristics, e.g. Scenic Overlook, Basketball Court, Lakefront Lot<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Describe the property in a way that inspires people! Words can do an AMAZING job of selling real estate, and your\u00a0ability to help people see the value of what you\u2019re offering can be a major asset in your effort to find the right tenants.<\/p>\n
Most of the listings you\u2019ll find online have some pretty lackluster property descriptions. This is good news because these amateurs are making it all the easier for YOUR listing to stand out. Take a look at this real life example I pulled from Craigslist earlier this year (this was the FULL property description, spelling errors and all):<\/p>\n
\u201cnew refrigerator. all appliances includes. Huge backyard. walk out in basement to back yard which is fenced in. Lots of updates. 2 stall attached garage.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
Pretty pathetic, huh?<\/p>\n
Now let\u2019s take a look at a well-written description for the exact same property:<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll love this peaceful, cozy bungalow overlooking Riverside Park. Spend your summer mornings on the front porch with a fresh cup of coffee and your winter evenings snuggled up by the stone fireplace with a good book. Situated in a friendly community on the outskirts of Robertson Township, just thirty minutes from Springfield \u2013 this house offers everything a homeowner needs to maintain a happy and comfortable lifestyle. Some of the perks that come with this home include:<\/em><\/p>\n
- \n
- 2,000 square feet with an open floor plan<\/em><\/li>\n
- Large kitchen with recently updated appliances<\/em><\/li>\n
- 4 Bedrooms with fresh paint and new carpet<\/em><\/li>\n
- 3 Bathrooms in new condition<\/em><\/li>\n
- Award Winning School District<\/em><\/li>\n
- 2-Stall Garage with overhead door<\/em><\/li>\n
- Short walk from Riverside Park<\/em><\/li>\n
- Large back deck, surrounded by trees for maximum privacy<\/em><\/li>\n
- Walkout basement to back yard.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
As you can probably see, even though both of these listings are describing the same property, they\u2019re not created equal. It takes\u00a0real effort\u00a0to be creative and think of descriptive words that will make a\u00a0property sound appealing. Most landlords and property managers just don\u2019t have the patience (or just don\u2019t care enough) to put forth the extra effort to write a great property description, but those who do\u00a0will\u00a0likely find that it can make a HUGE difference in the eyes of prospective tenants.<\/p>\n
Pricing the Property<\/h3>\n
As obvious as it may sound,\u00a0you should always include the rent price in your property listing.<\/p>\n
I’ve seen some ads\u00a0that include\u00a0every component of a great listing except for the price (sometimes with a \u201ccall now for price\u201d teaser at the bottom). In my opinion, this is completely unhelpful to the potential tenants who are looking at your property.<\/p>\n
If you want to attract the best renters your the market, you shouldn’t be\u00a0throwing up obstacles that make it difficult for them to make their decision and take the next step. I see very little benefit in hiding this kind of information on the front end.<\/p>\n
The price of your property is a very important component of your listing.\u00a0Luckily, coming up with a reasonable rent price\u00a0doesn’t have to be complicated. You\u2019re essentially looking at the location, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, square footage of the unit and the condition.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re not sure how much you should be charging for rent in your market, there are a few ways to nail this down with relative certainty.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Look at some similar properties for rent in the near vicinity. You can find these listings easily on websites like Craigslist<\/a>, Zillow<\/a>, Trulia<\/a>\u00a0and Realtor.com<\/a> (among others). How much are they charging for rent? How do their\u00a0properties compare to yours?<\/li>\n
- Call a local property manager and ask their opinion. These people are probably the best-informed, most-qualified individuals to answer this kind of question.<\/li>\n
- Check out a website like Rent-o-meter<\/a> and see what it has to say. Just\u00a0don\u2019t rely on this as your ONLY source of information. It can be a great starting point, but it’s not the ultimate authority (not by a long shot).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If all else fails, a final indication as to whether you\u2019re asking a fair price for rent is to gauge how many inquiries are coming in from interested parties. If nobody is calling, it could be that you either need to lower your price OR do a better job of communicating the value of the\u00a0rental unit in your listing.<\/p>\n
An Eye-Catching Headline<\/h3>\n
When you\u2019re posting your listing on sites like\u00a0Craigslist<\/a>, it is\u00a0imperative\u00a0that you use a headline that\u00a0looks different and gets noticed.<\/p>\n
A good headline is an extremely\u00a0important aspect of your listing\u00a0because in a very real way, this will be your\u00a0only shot\u00a0at getting prospective tenants to notice you. If you aren’t able to stand out from all the other mundane headlines in your market, you\u2019ll be fighting an uphill battle. When you only have a\u00a0split second\u00a0to engage someone to click on your ad, standing out and making an impression is EVERYTHING.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re not sure how to come up with an eye-catching headline, ask yourself a few questions:<\/p>\n
- \n
- What are the positives and\u00a0negatives\u00a0of the property you\u2019re trying to rent out?<\/li>\n
- How can you use humor to your advantage?<\/li>\n
- Can you say something that will make people do a double-take?<\/li>\n
- Can you say something obnoxious that will make your ad stick out like a sore thumb?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Here are some examples I’ve played with\u00a0over the years with some pretty good results:<\/p>\n
- \n
- ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! 2-bedroom apartment on the Upper East Side for HOW MUCH??<\/li>\n
- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY STUPIDITY. This property is\u00a0my loss, your gain.<\/li>\n
- CHECK THIS OUT! Rent this amazing 1-stall garage w\/ FREE HOUSE ATTACHED!!!<\/li>\n
- AM I INSANE?? 3 bedroom \/ 2 bathroom house at this price?? YOU TELL ME!!<\/li>\n
- My wife thinks I’m crazy – but we need a tenant RIGHT NOW!<\/li>\n
- YOU CAN\u2019T AFFORD THIS HOUSE (but if you act now, you might get lucky).<\/li>\n
- MAKE YOUR FRIENDS JEALOUS!\u00a0This is the apartment you\u2019re looking for!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Take a look at this example in action. What do you think? Does it grab your attention?<\/p>\n
![\"CLexample\"](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CLexample.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nIf you need more inspiration, just take a few minutes and browse through the ads in your local market. What kinds of headlines\u00a0stick out to you? What makes you notice them? Can you apply any of these same principles to your headlines?<\/p>\n
How to Find a Tenant Part 2: Promoting the Listing<\/h2>\n
The idea behind any good promotional campaign is to get your rental listing in front of as many eyeballs as possible<\/em> (and ideally, without incurring any significant costs).<\/p>\n
Related:<\/strong> 6 Tips to Protect Newbie Landlords Against Bad Tenant Situations<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
Probably the most tried and true method that occurs to most new landlords is to simply place a \u201cFOR RENT\u201d sign in the front yard. It’s not a bad idea, but this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your promotional efforts. A sign in the front yard will do a great job of notifying the neighbors and those passing by that the property is available, but it\u2019s not the most effective way to notify the masses (i.e. anyone who isn’t already in the vicinity of your property on a regular basis). In other words, it may be worth doing, but you shouldn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n
In my experience, the most effective website for advertising your real estate in any capacity is one that many\u00a0of us are familiar with: Craigslist<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Some other websites that are probably worth trying are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Postlets<\/a><\/li>\n
- Backpage<\/a><\/li>\n
- eBay Classifieds<\/a><\/li>\n
- Your own website (if you have one)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Backpage<\/a><\/li>\n
- Postlets<\/a><\/li>\n
- Large kitchen with recently updated appliances<\/em><\/li>\n
- 2,000 square feet with an open floor plan<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/blog_ads-01.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n