8 steps to writing a listing that will help you fill your vacancy quickly.
The rental industry is very competitive. Prospective tenants will often sift through dozens of rental listings before making a decision on which is best for them. For this reason, it’s in your best interest to make your rental listing stand out from the rest. This can make the difference between finding a long-term tenant and having a vacant property for months.
When drafting your listing, your goal should be to make it attractive, detailed, and informative. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. In this post, you’ll find a step by step process to write a listing that converts into a tenant.
Step #1: Start with the obvious information.
Begin your listing with some basic information. Include where the property is located, how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has, and any other basic information you can think of. This is crucial because renters typically begin their search by narrowing down results based on the number of bedrooms a rental has.
Step #2: Write an eye-catchy headline.
The better your headline, the more likely prospective tenants will click on your listing. Make it specific and simple, avoiding excessive jargon. Remember, your listing will be competing with hundreds of other rental ads.
An example of a good title is: “Quiet Apartment with Off-Street Parking near Med Center.” It is short, sweet, and to the point. An example of a bad headline is: “Must see Lincoln – 6 Bedrooms x 3 Bathrooms House $1975 / 6br – 354ft – (Lincoln). Call Natalie Now.” This headline is too cluttered and a prospective tenant is likely to overlook it.
A good title is one that highlights three important features of your property:
- The best features the property has to offer. For example, granite countertops, tall ceilings, sunny windows, a pool, or the city’s skyline views.
- Good descriptors of the property such as charming, beautiful, quiet, landscaped, upscale, and luxurious.
- Nearby attractions like schools, universities, coffee shops, nightlife, bars, and parks.
Step #3: Add in the important numbers.
Making the rental price clear in your listing can help you filter out applicants that may not be able to afford to live in your property. The last thing you want is to waste time screening unqualified tenants.
Besides mentioning the rent amount, you’ll also want to include other costs in your listing as well. These may include move-in fees, HOA fees, and security deposit. Make sure to abide by the local security deposit laws when setting this price. Your area may have local laws that define the limit, how it should be stored, and when it should be returned.
Be sure to also include the term of the lease agreement. Whether it’s month-to-month or a fixed one-year lease, this is important for prospective tenants to know.
Step #4: Highlight additional features of your rental.
Offer prospective tenants as many unique details about your rental as possible. If your rental property is your home, write about a feature you love! Make sure you do this concisely so that you keep your prospect’s attention. These details should help answer some questions that the prospective tenant might have.
Make sure to mention things that make your rental stand out from the competition. For example, is it located near a park or lake? Is it a trendy downtown loft?
Try telling a story in the description. How will the prospective tenant’s life be like, living in your property? Mention the local shopping centers, nearby sites to see, and even some of the interesting neighborhood events.
Other things you may specify include recognizable landmarks, nearby schools and universities, local commute options, and nearby highways.
Step #5: Include high-quality photos of your property.
Once you have written a great description of your property, take some quality photos to attach to it. High-quality photos will provide prospective tenants with a visual understanding of the property. You’ll want to include 10-15 photos in your listing.
Here are some tips to help you take great photos of your rental property:
- Have your home professionally cleaned beforehand.
- Ensure there is bright lighting by turning on the lights and opening the blinds.
- Take the photos when the lighting is best. Ideally, this would be just after sunrise or just before sunset.
- Shoot at different angles for variety and to help in highlighting crucial features.
Step #6: Attach a video tour.
Once you’ve taken high-quality photos of your rental, consider filming a video tour of its layout as well. You can then upload this to YouTube or another video streaming site and include the link in your listing. According to real estate experts, including videos in your rental listing can increase rental inquiries by as much as 95%.
Step #7: Include your contact information.
Including your contact information is crucial to the success of your listing. Make sure you include your business email, phone number, and even website if you have one. Avoid giving out your personal information, if possible.
Step #8: Market your rental ad.
Once you’ve created the perfect rental listing, you’ll need to market it so that prospective tenants can find it. Your marketing strategy should make use of both online and offline platforms for maximum reach.
What not to include in your rental listing
When writing your listing, make sure you do not discriminate against the protected classes. According to the Fair Housing Act, it’s illegal for housing providers to discriminate against potential homebuyers, renters, and lenders on the basis of their race, color, gender, disability, familial status, national origin, or religion.
Examples of discriminatory statements include:
- “Safe Christian community.”
- “Perfect for singles.”
- “Professionals will love it here.”
Conclusion
Vacancies are every landlord’s worst nightmare. By crafting the perfect rental listing, you can fill your vacancy quickly with qualified tenants. Use the 8 steps listed above to boost your occupancy rates and maximize your investment returns.
If you need more help in this regard, please consider hiring a professional to help. Evolve Nevada is a professional property management company that services property owners in Northern Nevada. We can help you create the perfect rental listing. Contact us today!
