Struggling with my "No Pet" Policy

Rental Property Investor · Southwest MI · Member since 2024 · 40 posts · 19 votes

HELP! First time landlord here, three days into my first rental property and I can't get much action on my listing! Yes, the time of year isn't helping but the few bites I have gotten are *all* pet owners. Everything I seem to have read/listened to points to "avoid pets". For context, here's the listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1216-Gardner-Pond-Ln-Vick...

Suggestions?
Please and thank you!

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Greg M.

Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes

OMG, 3 full days during a work week without it renting? Cut your losses and let it go to foreclosure!!

Looking at other listings, it appears that it is priced well, a little lower than other comparable homes. However, it is a little higher than 3/2 homes which might be more desirable for that area. I'd hold firm on the price.

Based on the other listings that show 20-30 days on the market, I suspect that this is an area that just takes a little time to rent.

The listing itself is OK. I do feel like you're trying to sell me something with all the refreshes and updates and modern whatnot. I'd tone it down and just say it is updated. The pics will do a lot of the talking for you.

That shower is creepy.

Over half of all households have a pet. Saying no to pets is saying no to over 50% of the potential renters. It's foolish. Even more so when that pet becomes an ESA.

Your listing needs to talk up the excellent schools more. That is the selling point of this place. Unfortunately for you, school has already started, so you missed out on a lot of potential renters.

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Greg ScottPro Member
Rental Property Investor · SE Michigan · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 6k+ votes
2y
Three days? Relax! Hold firm.
If you get nervous, drop the rent $100 per month or confirm your marketing is good.
You do limit the prospective tenant base by restricting pets, but that is your prerogative. On the other hand, you may do better by allowing pets and requiring pet rents, pet deposits and pet fees.
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Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
2y
OMG, 3 full days during a work week without it renting? Cut your losses and let it go to foreclosure!!

Looking at other listings, it appears that it is priced well, a little lower than other comparable homes. However, it is a little higher than 3/2 homes which might be more desirable for that area. I'd hold firm on the price.

Based on the other listings that show 20-30 days on the market, I suspect that this is an area that just takes a little time to rent.

The listing itself is OK. I do feel like you're trying to sell me something with all the refreshes and updates and modern whatnot. I'd tone it down and just say it is updated. The pics will do a lot of the talking for you.
That shower is creepy.

Over half of all households have a pet. Saying no to pets is saying no to over 50% of the potential renters. It's foolish. Even more so when that pet becomes an ESA.

Your listing needs to talk up the excellent schools more. That is the selling point of this place. Unfortunately for you, school has already started, so you missed out on a lot of potential renters.
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Fareen E.
OP
Rental Property Investor · Southwest MI · Member since 2024 · 40 posts · 19 votes
2y
Quote from @Greg M.:

OMG, 3 full days during a work week without it renting? Cut your losses and let it go to foreclosure!!

Looking at other listings, it appears that it is priced well, a little lower than other comparable homes. However, it is a little higher than 3/2 homes which might be more desirable for that area. I'd hold firm on the price.

Based on the other listings that show 20-30 days on the market, I suspect that this is an area that just takes a little time to rent.

The listing itself is OK. I do feel like you're trying to sell me something with all the refreshes and updates and modern whatnot. I'd tone it down and just say it is updated. The pics will do a lot of the talking for you.
That shower is creepy.

Over half of all households have a pet. Saying no to pets is saying no to over 50% of the potential renters. It's foolish. Even more so when that pet becomes an ESA.

Your listing needs to talk up the excellent schools more. That is the selling point of this place. Unfortunately for you, school has already started, so you missed out on a lot of potential renters.
Some excellent points, friend. That’s the realtor in me talking on the listing. What’s the creepy shower you’re taking about? Also - it’s a 4/3..

I will definitely highlight the schools. Just to explain the reason for my pointing out the updates; just a month ago it was cosmetically pretty ugly and I’ve added some square footage to the home.

Sigh. I shall be patient 🙃
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Fareen E.
OP
Rental Property Investor · Southwest MI · Member since 2024 · 40 posts · 19 votes
2y
Quote from @Greg Scott:

Three days? Relax! Hold firm.
If you get nervous, drop the rent $100 per month or confirm your marketing is good.
You do limit the prospective tenant base by restricting pets, but that is your prerogative. On the other hand, you may do better by allowing pets and requiring pet rents, pet deposits and pet fees.
So true. I will be patient. I’m nervous as I watch the clock tick further into toward the winter season but I didn’t want pets for a reason and I will hold firm. Thank you for your reinforcement!
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Alecia LovelessPro Member
Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
2y
@Fareen E. I do not have a problem with my pets in my units and have found accepting them to be a big selling point.
I’ve only had one prospect attempt the ESA dogs and then found out that they are a breeding pair and just had puppies. Which was a hard no. There were other issues with this prospect as well.
With the prices of my units which are upscale I’m looking to get all the applications I can.
You might want to reconsider the pet thing.
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Fareen E.
OP
Rental Property Investor · Southwest MI · Member since 2024 · 40 posts · 19 votes
2y
Quote from @Alecia Loveless:

@Fareen E. I do not have a problem with my pets in my units and have found accepting them to be a big selling point.
I’ve only had one prospect attempt the ESA dogs and then found out that they are a breeding pair and just had puppies. Which was a hard no. There were other issues with this prospect as well.
With the prices of my units which are upscale I’m looking to get all the applications I can.
You might want to reconsider the pet thing.
Hi Alecia, that’s sound advice- thank you! I have a lower first month rent special offered for signing by the 24th. I’m going to decide on this by then and then make the change at that point accordingly, so it’s not too late into the season. Thanks again!
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
2y
Over half of all renters have pets. If you won't allow them, you cut the number of potential renters in half.
The best practice is to learn how to screen well. Quality renters are responsible pet owners who will not allow their animals to destroy a home or take responsibility if something happens. I manage 400 rentals and almost half of them are pet-friendly. We rarely have issues with animals causing damage and less than 1% of all pet owners cause more damage than the security deposit will cover.
Pet owners pay more and stay longer.
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Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
2y
Quote from @Fareen E.:What’s the creepy shower you’re taking about?
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