Real Estate Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 185 posts · 53 votes
Hi there,
I'm in the middle of my first tenant turnover in my first building so forgive me for such a newbie question. I posted my first apartment on Craigslist last week but haven't got any calls. Can you take a look at the ad and let me know your thoughts?
Investor · North Richland Hills, TX · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Your text is ok but your pictures are unflattering. You need to retake them with better light. Also, image #3 shows a door leaned against the wall and a yellow spot above the stove. These elements make bad impression! The place looks like it has not been fully made ready.
Is the bed and mattress a part of the deal? If so, do your prospective tenants want to sleep on someone's mattress? If the mattress is new, state it in the ad. If the bed is just a leftover from a previous tenant, get rid of it.
Realtor · Camarillo, CA · Member since 2014 · 162 posts · 102 votes
9y
Interesting. Could be a number of things. I have noticed that CL is less effective so it might be consumers changing their preferences.Or it could be the season. With regards to your ad I would suggest better pictures and rewrite the copy so it sells your studio. Maybe even include additional keywords of local towns. Also on CL it's important to be among the first results so definitely repost the ad every couple of days especially on the weekend. You should definitely be on Zillow/Trulia and Hotpads. Those are where I get most of my leads.
Investor · North Richland Hills, TX · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Your text is ok but your pictures are unflattering. You need to retake them with better light. Also, image #3 shows a door leaned against the wall and a yellow spot above the stove. These elements make bad impression! The place looks like it has not been fully made ready.
Is the bed and mattress a part of the deal? If so, do your prospective tenants want to sleep on someone's mattress? If the mattress is new, state it in the ad. If the bed is just a leftover from a previous tenant, get rid of it.
Real Estate Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 185 posts · 53 votes
9y
@David Gonzalez Thanks for taking a look. I will definitely post it in other locations and repost on Craigslist every couple of days. Better pictures definitely would help as well.
@Nick B. Thanks for your thoughts. I will get rid of the mattress and change out that picture. It was remade about a year ago so new (brighter) pictures are definitely in order.
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
If it's empty now.. Put "Available NOW MOVE IN READY...
Photo of main building retake,, closer to building,, no phone wire..
Ceiling of bathroom,, delete that photo.
Take photo of main room without the daybed..
Photos were dark,, put all the lights on.. and retake
Remove or relocate stuff on deck so it doesn't show in photo.
Kitchen show a photo.
Or basically just take a photo of outside and let them call you for more information.
HOw's your price compare to other studios ?? check that out..
If your willing to go month to month term mention that.. I had studios,, I put in Great lease terms,, I did month to month,, with a term that if they stayed less than 6 months a $300.00 fee would be charged against the security deposit for redecorating fee, rent rate gauranteed to stay the same for 12 months,,.. most tenants sayed 2 to 3 years at a time
Real Estate Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 185 posts · 53 votes
9y
Thanks @Deanna McCormick. Clearly I need to get back to the property and take some new photos. The price is good compared to other studios in the area. I am also preferring month-to-month, so I mentioned that in the ad as well. Thanks a ton for your suggestions!
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
@Robert Lindsley... When you take photos' try and open patio door and stand outside on the deck and get as much of the room as you can..and take one from inside with patio door open to the deck.. Once you get good photos' you reuse them all the time.. I found my cell phone works wonders..
Specialist · St Petersburg, FL · Member since 2017 · 62 posts · 34 votes
9y
Have you thought about hiring a professional photographer? You pay once and use the same photos over and over again.
The use of a professional who focuses on houses and living spaces will get the right Angles and have proper lighting.
Your photos look like they were taking in winter time. Green trees and grass show better that cold grey skies and mud.
This unit looks to have 2 balconies! That's a great feature. What is around the area? Night life, parks, or schools?
Hope that helps.
First of all, pictures must be flattering, use some simple enhancing - light, cropping etc. No wires in the pictures, blue sky as background and absolutely no snow! It's August - just shows how lazy is the promoter.
Interior pictures need extra light. If you take them with your phone - use extra lighting, read some simple rules about photo composition. No ugly furniture or anything degrading your property. You should want to rent it yourself - that's what pictures should show. CL allows 24 pictures - work on it. Take pictures of park, stores, parking close to the building - don't post 4 old pictures - it's your first impression. They must want it!
Next - text. You're offering so much more than average - utilities are included! How about that?!?
But you're totally not putting it right - describe everything with excitement. How great are your terms! Tell them that's month-to-month lease - no binding agreement for a year or two - that's amazing for most people! That's why they're renting instead of buying - they need their freedom to move when they need. Sell it!
Also, text need to be corrected - you need to include catching phrases about location, for example close to highway I-90, Unversity Hospitals, 10 min to downtown, etc
People who search specific location, don't just put zip code and price in criteria - they google where they work, or what schools they want - build it in your add.
The last - Craigslist is good but it has to be duplicated on Zillow, unless you don't want any track of your price. Zillow promotes on all the other sites: Trulia, HotPads etc. Most leads I'm getting from Trulia, Zillow and very seldom Craigslist, especially with more expensive properties.
I forgot to mention that I agree with previous post - make it "available now". When you post date it - it's like not existing on CL. Try to find your add from different computer with no cookie - most likely in won't be on the first page. September is next week - you should have tenants looking at it NOW.
In conclusion, I can't stress enough how pictures are important. Remove that snow, make it feel like home - stage it alittle bit (towels, fake fruits etc). Your tenants should love the pictures before they even meet their future home and the landlord. During the showing you're selling yourself as the best landlord in the world because they're already sold on your property.
Marketing is an art, learn it. It's so much fun :) you're going to love it...eventually ;)