The most important part of owning a rental property is ensuring that your investment is financially successful. If you’re dealing with unexpected or long-term vacancies, your rental income is likely suffering, so you need to find tenants fast. One of the best ways to find great tenants is to prioritize how you market your rental, and the easiest way to reach a wide audience is to advertise your property online. If you aren’t sure where to begin, check out our top tips below for creating an online rental listing that will stand out against the competition and get your property rented in no time.
Write a Detailed Property Description
Start with the basics, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms the unit has. Because renters often filter their search by these details, this is vital information to include in your property listing. If your rental is listed on Apartments.com, basic information like this, as well as the monthly rent and square footage estimates, will be highlighted at the top of your listing, followed by pricing and floor plan specifics, if applicable.
Focus on your “About” section. Essentially, this is your chance to shine. Explain your property, the neighborhood, and its perks in this section. Be sure to include the property’s unique features like an in-unit washer and dryer and spacious walk-in closets. If your rental is a part of a community, list the community amenities as well, such as a fitness center, an on-site dog park, or a swimming pool.
The actual description should be detailed but precise. Keeping it on the shorter side will prevent you from losing renters’ interest. Try to tell a story in your description. You can describe the building or unit’s unique features, amenities in the surrounding area, and what the renter’s life will be like living there. Shopping, dining, and entertainment options are great things to include, as well as the actual unit’s atmosphere. Is the unit located in a wooded area or in the heart of the city? Painting a picture with your property description will lead interested renters your way.
Include High-Quality Photos
Although painting a picture with your property description is key to the process, you should also include high-quality photos in your online listing. If you don’t have the time or equipment to take property photos, consider hiring a professional photographer for the job. If your budget comes into play and hiring a professional isn’t an option, here are some tips for taking photos of your rental property DIY style:
- Clean the property top to bottom before taking any photos.
- Open all blinds, turn on the lights, and take photos just after sunrise or before sunset for ideal lighting, or shoot when it’s overcast to avoid shadows.
- Take photos at different angles, especially wide angles to show the entire space, and shoot photos at waist level to avoid distortions.
- Make sure you don’t show up in bathroom mirrors or any other reflective décor when taking photos.
Take photos of the exterior and interior of the rental, as well as a few shots of the neighborhood. Try to include around 10 to 20 photos in your listing. You want to provide enough images for the viewer to be able to picture themselves in the unit, but not too many to where the photos become repetitive.
Invest in Video
Open houses and in-person property tours are not always possible, which is why videos can be a helpful aspect of your online property listing by alleviating this pain point for prospective tenants who can’t view the place in person. According to research by Matterport and other companies, online property listings that include video get clicked on 40 percent more often than listings without them. If you’re willing to invest in equipment like a camera, various lenses, and a tripod, you’ll be able to make a terrific virtual tour, but to make things easier and more budget friendly, you can take high-quality videos with your smartphone. Follow the same tips when shooting video of your rental as you would when taking photos. Make sure the unit is clean and be aware of lighting and angles.
List Your Rental Where People Are Searching
When you list your property on Apartments.com, your rental is advertised on five of the most popular rental websites, reaching millions of renters. Listing your property, whether your rental is a house, condo, townhome, or apartment, you’re sure to find the right renter. After you add your property, renters will immediately be able to see your listing. To avoid vacancies you want to reach a large pool of renters, and listing your rental online with Apartments.com will allow you to do just that.
If your rental is currently tenanted, you can still list your property online and highlight its availability date. Listing it before it’s vacant will potentially prevent you from dealing with loss of rental income while you wait for a new tenant to move in. If your rental is already vacant, list your property online sooner rather than later.
Share Your Rental Listings on Social Media
It’s recommended to post your rental property listing on social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. Although you’re already advertising your rental to a large pool of renters online, it doesn’t hurt to reach another audience through a different channel. Provide a short description, a few of your high-quality photos, and a link to your property listing in your social posts. Be sure to include the unit’s availability date as well and give a contact preference, whether you provide your email, phone, or request viewers to message you directly on the social platform. The wider the audience, the more likely you’ll find the right renter for you and your investment.
