10 Steps for Writing an Effective Rental Listing to Find New Tenants
Finding the right tenants for your rental property can be a challenging process, but with a well-written rental listing, you can attract the right candidates and fill your vacancy quickly. A rental listing serves as an advertisement for your property and provides potential renters with the information they need to decide if your property is a good fit for them.
The most effective rental listings are well-organized, informative, and attention-grabbing. They provide a detailed description of the property, including its features and amenities, as well as information about the neighborhood and the application process. They also highlight the lifestyle that the property offers, making it appealing to a specific target audience.
In this guide, we will go over the key steps for writing an effective rental listing that will help you find new tenants. From crafting a compelling headline and taking high-quality photos, to highlighting the neighborhood and outlining the application process, we'll cover all the essential elements you need to include in your listing. We'll also touch on some of the intangible aspects of writing a rental listing, such as knowing your audience, emphasizing the lifestyle, and showing your personality.
Whether you're a seasoned landlord or just starting out, this guide will provide you with the tools you need to write a rental listing that will help you find the right tenants for your property. So, let's get started!
10 Steps for Writing an Effective Rental Listing
These 10 steps will help you find new tenants because they address the key elements that renters look for in a rental listing. By including these elements, you will make your rental property more appealing and attract the right candidates for your property.
Sure, here's a detailed tutorial for writing an effective rental listing:
- Start with a compelling headline: Your headline should be short and to the point, and it should grab the reader's attention. It should also clearly state the most attractive feature of your rental property. For example: "Spacious 3-Bedroom Apartment in the Heart of the City" or "Beautiful 2-Bedroom House with Large Backyard."
- Write a detailed description: In this section, you should provide a thorough description of the property, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and any other relevant information. For example: "This spacious 3-bedroom apartment features 1,200 square feet of living space, with a large living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private balcony. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and ample closet space."
- Include high-quality photos: Renters want to see what the property looks like, so be sure to include several clear, well-lit photos that show off the interior and exterior of the property. Include photos of the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and any other key features of the property.
- Use keywords: Renters often search for specific amenities, so be sure to include relevant keywords in your listing. For example: "This apartment features central air conditioning, a washer and dryer, and secure building access."
- Be clear about the rental price: Make sure the rental price is clearly stated and easily visible. If you are willing to negotiate, you can mention that in the listing as well. For example: "Rent: $1,500/month (negotiable)."
- Mention the location: Include information about the location of the property, including the neighborhood, nearby amenities, and access to public transportation. For example: "This apartment is located in the bustling downtown area, within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and the subway station."
- Outline the application process: Explain how potential renters can apply for the property and what information they will need to provide. For example: "To apply for this property, please submit a completed application form, along with proof of income and a credit check."
- List any rules or restrictions: Make sure to mention any rules or restrictions, such as no smoking or no pets, in your listing. For example: "No smoking or pets allowed on the premises."
- Highlight the lease terms: Be clear about the lease length, move-in date, and any other important terms that the tenant should know. For example: "This apartment is available for a 12-month lease, starting on May 1st."
- End with a call to action: Encourage potential renters to contact you to schedule a viewing or ask any questions they may have. This can be a simple statement such as "Contact us to schedule a viewing today!" or "For more information or to schedule a viewing, please call us at (phone number)."
Videos & 3D Models
Videos and 3D models can play a crucial role in making your rental listing stand out from the competition. They provide potential renters with a more immersive and interactive experience, giving them a better sense of what the property looks and feels like.
- Videos: Videos provide a quick and easy way for potential renters to get a feel for the property and its location. You can create a virtual tour that showcases the interior and exterior of the property, highlighting its key features and benefits.
- 3D models (Matterport): 3D models like Matterport offer a more immersive and interactive experience, allowing potential renters to virtually explore the property as if they were actually there. This can be particularly useful for properties that are difficult to visit in person, such as those located in another city or country.
Using videos and 3D models can help to create a memorable and compelling experience for potential renters, making your rental property stand out and increasing the likelihood that they will choose to rent from you. By providing an accurate and detailed representation of the property, these tools can also help to reduce the number of in-person viewings that you need to arrange, saving you time and effort.
Other Considerations
- Know your audience: Consider who you want to attract to your property, and tailor your language and presentation accordingly. For example, if you're renting a luxury apartment, you'll want to focus on high-end amenities and the prestige of the location. If you're renting a family-friendly home, you'll want to highlight the property's safety features and nearby schools.
- Highlight the neighborhood: Renters are often just as interested in the neighborhood as they are in the property itself, so be sure to highlight the neighborhood's best features, such as nearby restaurants, shopping, parks, and public transportation.
- Emphasize the lifestyle: Renters are often looking for a lifestyle as well as a place to live, so consider how your property fits into that lifestyle. For example, if your property is near a popular bike trail, you might mention that in the listing for renters who enjoy outdoor recreation.
- Be honest: Don't try to hide any negatives about the property or the neighborhood. Renters will appreciate your honesty, and it will help you avoid any surprises later on.
- Show your personality: Let your personality shine through in your writing. Renters want to know who they'll be dealing with, so be friendly and approachable in your listing.
- Proofread: Finally, be sure to proofread your listing carefully to avoid any typos or errors. A well-written and well-presented rental listing is more likely to attract the right tenants.
Popular listing services
There are many rental listing websites that you can publish your rental listing to in order to reach potential tenants. Some popular options include:
- Zillow: One of the largest real estate websites, Zillow allows you to list your rental property for free and reach millions of potential renters.
- Rent.com: A well-established rental listing website that provides a platform for landlords to list their properties and reach a large audience of potential renters.
- Craigslist: A popular classifieds website that has a section for housing rentals. While it's a good option for reaching a large number of people, it's important to exercise caution as there are scams and fraudulent listings on the site.
- Apartments.com: A comprehensive rental listing website that provides detailed information about properties, including photos, floor plans, and neighborhood information.
- Realtor.com: A popular real estate website that allows landlords to list their rental properties for free.
- HotPads: A rental listing website that focuses on map-based searching, making it easy for renters to find properties in their desired locations.
- Zumper: A rental listing website that provides an easy-to-use platform for landlords to list their properties and reach a large audience of potential renters.
These are just a few of the many rental listing websites available, and it's a good idea to publish your rental listing on as many sites as possible in order to reach the largest number of potential renters.
Listings & Property Management Software
Rentroom is a property management software that integrates with the Zillow network to give rental properties the reach they need to find new tenants. By integrating with Zillow, Rentroom makes it easy for landlords and property managers to list their properties on one of the largest real estate websites and reach millions of potential renters.
With Rentroom's integration with Zillow, your rental listings will be automatically syndicated to the Zillow network, giving you maximum exposure and increasing your chances of attracting the right tenants. You'll also be able to manage your listings, track leads, and communicate with potential renters all in one place, making it easier to streamline your rental process. With Rentroom, you'll have the tools and support you need to run your rental business more efficiently and effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the right tenants for your rental property can be a challenging task, but by following these 10 steps and leveraging tools like Rentroom and the Zillow network, you can increase your chances of success. By writing a compelling rental listing that includes important information about the property, highlighting its key features and benefits, and using videos and 3D models to provide an immersive and interactive experience, you'll be able to attract the right candidates and find the tenants that are best suited for your property.
My name is Nick Caucci and I help run the Rentroom blog. Over the years, I have seen and helped many different property managers and owner-operators streamline their daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly workflows.
