No landlord wants their rental properties to sit empty for long periods of time, and they don’t want to pay for property management services on empty properties. Landlords are losing money every month their rental isn’t occupied, and they are less satisfied with your service as a property manager.Â
One of the keys to improve your property management company, among many others shown here, is to get your properties rented more quickly with effective marketing of your rental listings. Rental listings are a valuable tool for attracting new tenants, and it’s very helpful if they’re well-written.Â
Here’s what you should include in your listing.
Snazzy Title
An eye-catching headline is the most important element of a good rental ad. The title should immediately let your prospective tenants know your property is what they’re looking for.
Tenants want to know several things about any property:Â
• The number of bedrooms and bathroomsÂ
• The locationÂ
• The price of rent Â
• The property’s unique featuresÂ
Include the most important details tenants need to know in your headline.Â
For example: $1,000 – 2 bed 2 bath condo in downtown Atlanta with skyline views.
Description
The ideal length for a property description is four to six sentences. Highlight the best features of the property and the local area. Let your potential tenants know what makes your rental stand apart and what it can offer them. At the end of the description, include a clear call to action and your contact information. Format the description as a paragraph, not as a bulleted list.
Keep in mind that the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against potential tenants on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, age, gender, disability, or family status. This prohibition extends to advertising. Avoid phrases in your listing like “Great for a young couple” or “A perfect home for families with kids.” These types of descriptions may be seen as discriminatory.
Tenant Screening
In your listing, let your prospective tenants know your screening requirements. Including screening information builds your credibility with tenants, and it may also dissuade bad tenants from applying. To avoid potential discrimination claims, make it clear that the screening requirements apply to all prospective tenants.
Rent Price
The rental price is one of the most important pieces of information your tenants want to know. Always include the rent amount in both the description and headline. If you require a security deposit, include the deposit amount in your listing as well as the rent.
Pet Policy
Your listing should make clear whether or not you allow pets, and what types of animals are permitted. If you don’t allow any pets at all, or if you only allow dogs of a certain size or breed, say so in your listing. Doing so will save you and your potential tenants time and future conflict.
Photos
Many tenants will begin their search for a rental home online, and most will immediately skip listings without photos. Include pictures of each of your property’s main rooms. You should take at least one photo for each bedroom, each bathroom, and the living areas. If your property has a special feature like a fantastic mountain view, highlight it in a photograph. It may be worthwhile to hire a professional photographer to ensure your pictures look their absolute best.
An effective rental ad is clean, concise, and persuasive. A great listing increases your chances of finding a tenant fast.
