Is Zillow Rental Listing "Stale" After 35-40 Days?

Question

I have a vacant single-family home listed for rent on Zillow and my realtor, who is doing a tenant placement service for me, gets inquiries through Zillow Rental Manager.  I've done 2 small price reductions since it was listed 40 days ago but have only had 4 showings and 2 completed applications in those 40 days.   I've also recently reduced the minimum credit score to qualify from 650 to 600 a few days ago.

One thing I would like to try to generate more "buzz" and more applications is to have my realtor take it off Zillow for 1-2 days, then re-list it.  I was thinking this should wipe out the thing on Zillow that states "108 contacts, 40 days listed."

Then it might get a lot of new views because people will think it's a new listing.  Do potential tenants think, "There must be something wrong with it if it's been on the market for more than a month and not been rented yet"?  Do you think this technique would cause Zillow to put the # of days listed at 0 when it first gets re-listed?

Lots of people have inquired, but they usually don't fill out the realtor's Google questionnaire or don't send in current paystubs (he won't schedule a showing without these 2 things in place) or they do not meet the minimum requirements for income and/or credit score.

Any replies would be appreciated!

Patricia Steiner · Answer

Why Zillow?  Why aren't you getting more traffic?  Why are you giving control of inquiries to your realtor?  Resetting the clock won't cure whatever isn't working.  Lowering the credit score just gets you a lower quality tenant and one who has a record of not paying on time or at all.  Time to reassess your rental and marketing:

1.  Is it priced correctly? What is the rent for comparable properties in the same area?

2.  Does the narrative 'market' the property - sharing all the location has to offer, the great condition of the property?  I've read some rental listings that sounded like they were being managed by someone's mother.  What's the invite to apply - is there a hefty application fee?  Are the photos a turnoff?

3.  Is Zillow the right site?  It's kind of the Facebook of real estate now so it may not be getting you enough traffic. Also, do you have a sign on the property? DId your realtor hold an open house?  That old 'put it out there and someone will take it' is not the best way to generate interest and get your investment cash flowing.  In other words, do something else!

You may need to explain the time on market by stating something like "now available; time on market due to pre-marketing."  Again, do something - and do something else.  You're running a business - and your 'merchandise' isn't moving by what you've done so far...a lot of time has been wasted already.