New here, looking for advice on finding the right renter

New here, looking for advice on finding the right renter

Member since 2026 · 1 post · 1 vote

I am managing a major retrofit of my existing home, creating two completely separate units with separate yards. The entrances are on opposite sides of the house; the only shared spaces are the driveway pullout and the laundry room. I am investing heavily to optimize the living experience of the tenants, with all new and highest quality mechanical systems and appliances, built-ins and finishes. I am a green/sustainable building consultant for work and bringing these principles to this project, selecting materials with low-emitting and other environmental features, and carefully selecting for acoustic performance and maximum sound isolation between the two units.

The tenant will have private grounds, managed without chemicals and fertilizers, and designed for barefoot and healthy outdoor living. The home is nestled into a hillside Douglas fir and White Oak grove, near the town's star fitness feature, a 13-flight staircase and hillside trail to the best view in town. Inside will be additional physical fitness features.

Rather than spare expense, my plan is to find a tenant who will appreciate and can afford the value. Prior to this, I have managed a smaller unit as a furnished mid-term (1-6-month) rental (since 2019). For this project, my ideal tenant will be long term (2-20 years). My ultimate hope for the property is that it be enjoyed and appreciated by health-conscious, nature-loving adults and their nature-loving children. The grounds are intentionally home to creatures of all kinds and sizes, from lizards and snakes to blue jays and song birds to squirrels and deer. 

Any advice how to reach the right people would be very appreciated. Thank you!

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  • Jeremy B.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 12 posts · 5 votes
    6mo

    @Elyce Hues - First, congrats on building this amazing property and experience. It sounds truly special.

    If I were you (with this awesome property), I would focus my energy less on listing platforms and more on word-of-mouth within communities that already attract the kind of people you're looking for. Things like trail running clubs, climbing gyms, farmers markets, local conservation groups, yoga studios. A flyer or a personal mention in those online spaces will do more than any algorithm. Your professional network as a green building consultant is also a goldmine because those are the people who understand what you've built are exactly the people who'll appreciate living in it!

    When you do write a listing, lead with the lifestyle! The grove, the wildlife, the barefoot yard, the staircase trail, the hiking, the all-natural grounds. Let the mechanical specs and finishes come second as proof of quality, but not the headline. And since you're playing a long game, it's probably worth screening for values, not just income. A few open-ended questions early on (how do they spend weekends, what drew them to the area) will tell you fast whether someone gets it. Also, slightly under market rent to land the right person beats top dollar with turnover every time.

    Hope this helps. Good luck! Place sounds really cool.

  • Real Estate Broker · New York, NY · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6mo

    I love @Jeremy B.'s advice. It sounds like you’re creating an amazing, one-of-a-kind home, and the trick will be finding tenants who really appreciate everything you’ve put into it. Since you’re looking for long-term renters who are health-conscious, nature-loving, and value quality living, it helps to focus on places where those people are already spending time. You could also reach out to local eco-conscious organizations, fitness studios, or universities where people are likely to appreciate your design choices. Finally, take your time with screening and ask thoughtful questions about lifestyle and long-term plans so you find someone who truly fits the vision you’ve built.

  • Lindsay DavisBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Birmingham, AL · Member since 2019 · 326 posts · 203 votes
    4mo

    @Elyce Hues,

    Telling a compelling story in your listing description will be important.

    Honestly, what you have here is a solid start. Hammer home the environmentally-friendly focus and the private grounds. Have pictures do the heavy lifting, and take a bunch of professional photos of all the features you listed here.

    If you take your time to draft a listing that positions your rental in its best possible light, you should be able to drum up interest from prospective renters who care about your property beyond the asking rent.

    Afterwards, offer showings to gauge how well these applicants really fit. If they tour your property and show real enthusiasm for your property’s qualitative selling points, that’s a good sign. But if they don’t have kids, don’t seem to care about nature, and aren’t impressed by the eco-conscious buildout, then move on.

    Make sure you still screen for the usual stuff, though, such as credit scores, eviction histories, landlord references, income-to-rent ratios, and so on.

  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    4mo
    Quote from @Elyce Hues:

    I am managing a major retrofit of my existing home, creating two completely separate units with separate yards. The entrances are on opposite sides of the house; the only shared spaces are the driveway pullout and the laundry room. I am investing heavily to optimize the living experience of the tenants, with all new and highest quality mechanical systems and appliances, built-ins and finishes. I am a green/sustainable building consultant for work and bringing these principles to this project, selecting materials with low-emitting and other environmental features, and carefully selecting for acoustic performance and maximum sound isolation between the two units.

    The tenant will have private grounds, managed without chemicals and fertilizers, and designed for barefoot and healthy outdoor living. The home is nestled into a hillside Douglas fir and White Oak grove, near the town's star fitness feature, a 13-flight staircase and hillside trail to the best view in town. Inside will be additional physical fitness features.

    Rather than spare expense, my plan is to find a tenant who will appreciate and can afford the value. Prior to this, I have managed a smaller unit as a furnished mid-term (1-6-month) rental (since 2019). For this project, my ideal tenant will be long term (2-20 years). My ultimate hope for the property is that it be enjoyed and appreciated by health-conscious, nature-loving adults and their nature-loving children. The grounds are intentionally home to creatures of all kinds and sizes, from lizards and snakes to blue jays and song birds to squirrels and deer. 

    Any advice how to reach the right people would be very appreciated. Thank you!


     I think you actually have two problems:

    1) Finding a tenant willing to pay top dollar for what you're offering.

    2) Finding a tenant willing to stay 10+ years.

    #1 you've already got tips for.

    #2 is not something you can really advertise or screen for.
    Life happens and even if you got someone to sign, let's say a 5-year lease, something is highly likely to happen that may cause them to move.

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