Vacancy is a nightmare

Los Angeles County, California
Marketing Your Property
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Vacancy is a nightmare

Lucy Caro
Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 8 votes

Hey guys, I have a house for rent in Lancaster, CA. I've been trying to get tenants, but I can't find any. I've posted the house on FB market, Craigslist, Apartments for rent, and next door. Craigslist keeps rejecting it, and so do apartments for rent and Zillow. I don't know where else to market it. People on FB market are very flaky. It's been 3 months, and I can't afford to keep vacant for too long because I keep taking out of my savings. Does anyone know why they keep flagging me, and furthermore, how else can I market this house? I would really appreciate your feedback and any help. 

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Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
Moderator
Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
2mo

There are no pictures from I see and you are not willing to pay to add pictures... 

you realize you are losing $2700 a month because you won't spend $75 to include photos? 

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  • Jules Aton
    MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2mo

    List with an agent? 

    0Reply
  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    2mo
    How about listing it with an agent? That will be your best bet. Yes they take a month but it seems like you have already lost months on this trying to rent it.
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  • Bianca BarcelosBusiness Member
    NH · Member since 2026 · 79 posts · 42 votes
    2mo

    (Transparently this is mostly a copy and paste of my own reply to someone else asking about vacancies but it sounds like across the country, we're all having similar problems!  Let's learn from each other's mistakes and plans. Wanted to offer a perspective.)

    I think listing with an agent or a property management company would be an excellent solution too though, as mentioned above.

    It's incredibly draining to deal with ghosting. As an investor myself and an agent who works with local investors, I’ve found that the best way to handle this is to treat it like a numbers game rather than a personal frustration; during the looking/buying phase and the active managing phase too.

    Here are a few ways I approach this in my own business and with my clients to keep the stress low and the cash flow steady.

    Plan for Vacancy Up Front: When you’re crunching your numbers during the acquisition phase, always build in a realistic vacancy rate (usually 5-8% depending on your market). If you’ve already 'paid' for the vacancy in your spreadsheet, it doesn't hurt your wallet as much when it actually happens. (And then the game is saving some extra $$ by getting a tenant placed earlier than "needed".)

    1-in-10 Rule: General sales statistics show that only about 1 in 10 leads actually "close". If you’ve had 5 inquiries and no lease, you’re statistically right on track! Expecting that 9 out of 10 people won't show up or sign helps you stay focused on just finding that one "needle in the haystack". It's a pain but you'll get there... and then you'll have really great incentive to create a good relationship and you're awesome new tenant to stay!

    Pre-Screen: To save your time and ensure a good tenant is ready to move in (and stay longer term), try a quick 'pre-screening' text or email. Ask your questions to make sure they meet your requirements. This filters out the tire-kickers before you even leave your house.

    Hustle Before the Move-Out: Usually, you have at least 30-day notice. I start marketing the unit the day (the hour!) I get that notice. The goal is to have the next tenant signed before the current one even hands over the keys.

      Hang in there, it'll only takes one good tenant to end this streak! Eventually it becomes "set it and forget it" and you'll be duplicating your strategies in no time!

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    • Richard F.
      Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
      2mo
      Quote from @Lucy Caro:

      Hey guys, I have a house for rent in Lancaster, CA. I've been trying to get tenants, but I can't find any. I've posted the house on FB market, Craigslist, Apartments for rent, and next door. Craigslist keeps rejecting it, and so do apartments for rent and Zillow. I don't know where else to market it. People on FB market are very flaky. It's been 3 months, and I can't afford to keep vacant for too long because I keep taking out of my savings. Does anyone know why they keep flagging me, and furthermore, how else can I market this house? I would really appreciate your feedback and any help. 


      Post a link to your ad so we can evaluate it.
      1Reply
    • Horace Willow
      Member since 2026 · 11 posts · 2 votes
      2mo

      okay so instead of getting an agent i would dare to ask what are  the things you have done so far this  would help understand what to recommend and what next step you can take 

      0Reply
    • Jill F.
      Investor · Akron, OH · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
      2mo
      What is the reason you are getting from zillow for rejecting your ad?
      0Reply
      • Lucy Caro
        OP
        Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 8 votes
        2mo
        Quote from @Jill F.:
        What is the reason you are getting from zillow for rejecting your ad?

         I don't know. It did the same on Craigslist and Apartments.com. So I posted the ad with no picture. Just contact info. 

        1Reply
      • Mendy J.
        Investor · NY · Member since 2026 · 121 posts · 42 votes
        2mo

        @Jill F. Usually it's very common for a new landlord ( Zillow rental) acct to reject it, You need to find the right email address to contact them and they'll ask you to verify it

        0Reply
      • Horace Willow
        Member since 2026 · 11 posts · 2 votes
        2mo
        Quote from @Mendy J.:

        @Jill F. Usually it's very common for a new landlord ( Zillow rental) acct to reject it, You need to find the right email address to contact them and they'll ask you to verify it

        are you an agent you self ?
        0Reply
      • Mendy J.
        Investor · NY · Member since 2026 · 121 posts · 42 votes
        2mo

        @Horace Willow 

        no I'm an investor and I experienced the same problem back then when I listed my first property for rent 

        0Reply
    • Lucy Caro
      OP
      Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 8 votes
      2mo

      sure

      1Reply
    • Kamil Lysik
      Property Manager · Warsaw · Member since 2026 · 107 posts · 37 votes
      2mo

      Hi,

      Three months vacant usually means it's either priced too high or the listing isn't attracting the right tenants. I'd compare your rent to similar homes that were rented recently, not just what's currently listed. Also, make sure you have high-quality photos and a detailed description.

      If Zillow and other sites are rejecting your listing, I'd contact their support because it could be an account verification issue or something in the listing triggering their filters. You could also try working with a local property manager or real estate agent—they often find qualified tenants quickly, and one month's leasing fee can be cheaper than several months of vacancy. Kind regards Kamil

      3Reply
    • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
      Moderator
      Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
      2mo

      There are no pictures from I see and you are not willing to pay to add pictures... 

      you realize you are losing $2700 a month because you won't spend $75 to include photos? 

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      5Reply
    • Colby LennonPro Member
      Henderson, Henderson County · Member since 2026 · 18 posts · 10 votes
      2mo

      Isn’t Lancaster close to Military bases? If so you might want to reach out to the local bases and see if you can advertise on the base housing site or in base commissary 

      0Reply
    • Raymond J. RodriguesBusiness Member
      Lender · Miami, FL · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 797 votes
      2mo

      @Chris Seveney some people hahaha!

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    • Abel CurielBusiness Member
      Real Estate Agent · Queens, NY · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      2mo

      Hello @Lucy Caro,

      You've received great advice on here so far. 

      The easiest/fastest solution would be to hire an experienced local rental listing agent. They would handle distribution across dozens of platforms, including the most popular ones.

      A couple of things I'd add:
      - If you are not open to hiring a listing agent, consider contacting local rental agents and putting them on an email blast. Perhaps offer to pay a portion of their commission if they bring forward a tenant
      - Your photos seem to be of very good quality. Being that this is a 3/2, I'd recommend adding more photos
      - Consider setting up a Google business page and post the unit each day using different keywords
      - Invite Realtor influencers and invite them to record a walkthrough video. Newer, tech-savy realtors who are still growing their business would be the prime target for this as they are  looking for more content to post
      - Consider posting a youtube short video of the property with keywords relevant to the area. You may not be able to advertise directly on the post but it could lead to some comments
      - Reddit, medium, quora, and any other local forums could help increase exposure

      All the best!

      Abel

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

      Hey Lucy,

      Three months of vacancy is definitely frustrating. If multiple platforms are rejecting the listing, I'd first try to figure out why before spending more time marketing. Sometimes it's something as simple as a verification issue, duplicate listing, formatting, or missing information rather than the property itself.

      Beyond that, I'd take a hard look at the fundamentals. If you're getting very few inquiries, it could be pricing. If you're getting inquiries but no applications, it could be the photos, the condition, or the screening criteria. A few small changes can make a big difference.

      You could also reach out to a local real estate agent or property manager. Even if you ultimately self-manage, they can give you an honest opinion on whether the rent is in line with the market and help identify anything that might be turning prospective tenants away.

      Hope you're able to get it leased soon. Good luck!

      0Reply
    • Henry Lazerow
      Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
      2mo

      If your in a in demand area you should have multiple apps in first 10 days, unless overpriced or some issue. I almost never have even a vacant month for myself or clients by marketing 45 days before a tenant lease ends so the move in and out is same day. 

      0Reply
    • Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
      Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      2mo

      We market on 30+ websites. You should try having a property manager list it since a GOOD property manager will have access to many more marketing options.

      [email protected]239-339-3969
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      • Nicole W.
        Rental Property Investor · L.A. Ca · Member since 2020 · 120 posts · 43 votes
        2w

        Which are the 30+ websites beyond the Zillow with its 2 free placements and the MLS with their couple of free placements do you post to?

        0Reply
    • Neil Potts
      Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2026 · 24 posts · 7 votes
      2mo

      Hi @Lucy Caro

      I'm a Realtor and Investor based in Los Angeles but regularly work with clients across LA county and nearby counties.

      I'd be happy to prepare a free, no obligation opinion with detailed comps, if you feel that would be helpful? I'll also give you a proposal for taking care of the leasing. Let me know, and I'll get that to you today if helpful.

      In simple terms, in my honest opinion (even as a Realtor), unless you're a very large institutional landlord with a leasing and property management team, you're almost always going to be better off working with an agent. This will make your life a lot easier and the long term benefit will far outweigh the short term fee.

      Let me know if I can be helpful,

      Thanks

      Neil

      0Reply
    • Jonathan Greer
      Member since 2026 · 57 posts · 16 votes
      2mo

      Hi Lucy,

      Sorry you're dealing with that. Three months of vacancy is tough, especially when it's eating into your savings. One question I'd ask is whether the issue is the marketing—or if it's the leasing strategy itself. Depending on the size and layout of the home, renting it room-by-room through a co-living model can often generate more interest, reduce vacancy, and produce higher overall rental income than trying to lease it to a single household. It isn't the right fit for every property, but it's worth exploring if the numbers make sense. I'd be happy to connect and talk through your property to see if it could be a good option. Wishing you the best either way!

      0Reply
    • Jen Day
      Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2020 · 48 posts · 28 votes
      2mo

      Hi Lucy, I understand your frustration, the leasing market can feel like the wild west if you are out there on your own. That's why I always provide my rental property owner clients with the highest level of marketing, photos, videos, tenant screening, and guidance with tenant/landlord laws in California (that are constantly changing). I also believe that having your property management company involved in the tenant screening process is a huge benefit because they ALSO have a stake in choosing a great long term tenant that will NOT give them headaches every month. I would be happy to share some experience and advice if that would be helpful. Please reach out at anytime! www.WPGpm.com 

      0Reply
    • Miranda Honoré
      Member since 2026 · 16 posts · 1 vote
      2mo

      Three months is a long vacancy, which makes me think there may be more going on than just the marketing.

      Before spending more time looking for additional advertising sites, I'd take a step back and evaluate a few things:

      • Is the rent competitive with similar homes currently available?
      • Are the listing photos high quality and showing the home's best features?
      • Does the description paint a picture of what it's like to live there, or is it just a list of features?
      • Are you responding to inquiries quickly and actively trying to schedule tours?

      As for Zillow and Apartments.com rejecting your listing, it's possible it's getting caught in their fraud prevention system. I'd reach out to their support teams directly to find out why rather than continuing to repost.

      Also, don't underestimate the power of your local real estate community. Reach out to local Realtors, relocation specialists, and property managers, they often have clients looking for rentals before they ever hit the market.

      Finally, if you're getting plenty of views but very few inquiries, it's likely a pricing or listing issue. If you're getting inquiries but no applications, it may be the showing experience or screening criteria. Figuring out where prospects are dropping off will tell you what needs to change.

      I hope you're able to get it leased soon!

      0Reply
    • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
      Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
      1mo
      Quote from @Lucy Caro:

      Hey guys, I have a house for rent in Lancaster, CA. I've been trying to get tenants, but I can't find any. I've posted the house on FB market, Craigslist, Apartments for rent, and next door. Craigslist keeps rejecting it, and so do apartments for rent and Zillow. I don't know where else to market it. People on FB market are very flaky. It's been 3 months, and I can't afford to keep vacant for too long because I keep taking out of my savings. Does anyone know why they keep flagging me, and furthermore, how else can I market this house? I would really appreciate your feedback and any help. 

      If multiple platforms are rejecting the listing, I'd first make sure it's not getting caught by an automated filter. Double check that you're using the correct property address, avoiding duplicate listings, not including phone numbers or shortened links in the description, and that your account is verified. Sometimes even small things like copying the exact same text repeatedly can trigger spam filters. As for finding a tenant, I'd also look at whether the rent is in line with comparable homes and whether the first photo is strong enough to get people to click. After three months, I'd be asking if it's a marketing problem or a pricing problem. You could also try local Facebook community groups, military or hospital housing groups if they're relevant nearby, and put a simple yard sign out if possible. If you're getting lots of inquiries but no applications, it's probably the presentation or screening process. If you're getting almost no inquiries at all, I'd take a hard look at the price. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
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    • Jonathan Greer
      Member since 2026 · 57 posts · 16 votes
      1mo
      Quote from @Lucy Caro:

      Hey guys, I have a house for rent in Lancaster, CA. I've been trying to get tenants, but I can't find any. I've posted the house on FB market, Craigslist, Apartments for rent, and next door. Craigslist keeps rejecting it, and so do apartments for rent and Zillow. I don't know where else to market it. People on FB market are very flaky. It's been 3 months, and I can't afford to keep vacant for too long because I keep taking out of my savings. Does anyone know why they keep flagging me, and furthermore, how else can I market this house? I would really appreciate your feedback and any help. 


       Hi Lucy, 

      Sorry to hear about your occupancy issues. The rejections you touched on made me wonder, do you usually manage properties yourself? Have you worked with property managers before? Would love to connect and see if there is a solution here.

      0Reply
    • Peter MckernanBusiness Member
      Residential Real Estate Agent · Irvine, CA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      1mo

      I think most people/all people on here hit the target on everything.. Most people keep the property on the market way too long to hit a number while losing their rent each month. The best way to hit a rental price you want, is professional photos, and get it on all platforms as possible. Then drop the price consistently till you get a tenant in. 

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    • Tim B.Pro Member
      Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2019 · 37 posts · 20 votes
      1mo

      Lancaster is a different beast. I know that market pretty well - I spent about two years working there on another project. Are you accepting vouchers? If not, that could be limiting your tenant pool quite a bit.

      0Reply
    • Nicole W.
      Rental Property Investor · L.A. Ca · Member since 2020 · 120 posts · 43 votes
      2w

      I am also experiencing extremely long vacancies even with my property mgr posting ads. My area is central Az. It has been like crickets there on ads or just really low credit ratings in the 300s/400s, no income verification, evictions, lots of animals or large dogs then the ghosting of those that look to have the qualifications. Have had such immense amount of pet damage over the years that we just cannot take large animals or cats. We limit to a small dog but would prefer none. I have many rentals without any pets which I did not have an issue finding tenants for in the past. Something has drastically changed in 2026 in this area. We are posting ads with nice photos everywhere. We had one where we finally find a good tenant after a FEW months and have another ad up for another that has now been a few months. We are now resorting to a move in special and see how that goes.

      0Reply
    • Javier RosalesPro Member
      Los Angeles Ca · Member since 2019 · 107 posts · 15 votes
      2w

      Like above, get with a property manager, yes theu will take a percentage a month. also groom Property mangers also. find one that suits your standards. also you could list it for rent on Zillow rent

      0Reply
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