Working to fill a vacant rental property can be a stressful time for landlords. As your property sits empty, you’re actively losing money. One thing you can do to fill vacancies faster is to implement proven marketing tactics in your rental listing.
Listen, finding high-quality tenants is just half of filling a vacancy. You first have to get leads! Writing an enticing and attractive rental listing is exactly how you will get potential tenants to reach out. Posting photos and a price online just doesn’t cut it.
In this blog post, we’re diving into how landlords can elevate their rental listings with proven tips to convert more leads. Get ready to start scheduling some showings after using them!
10 Proven Rental Listing Tips to Convert More Leads
Following these tips when writing and advertising your rental listing will guarantee you’ll have more potential tenants contacting you to see your property.
1. Write a Compelling Listing Title
One of the first things a potential tenant will see while scrolling through rental listings is the title of the listing. This should be short, sweet, and to the point. Your title is a one-line opportunity to share as much important information about the rental as you can.
For example, some details you should include are the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type of property (single home or unit), location, and any special features or amenities.
One great, compelling rental listing title is “2 bedroom/3 bathroom apartment with modern kitchen in Downtown Annapolis.”
Use this formula to craft your headline and watch the listing views skyrocket!
2. Post High-Quality Photos
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when trying to fill a vacancy! Post high-quality photos of your property to attract potential tenants and encourage them to schedule a showing.
Whether you decide to invest in a professional property photographer or use your smartphone, it’s super easy to get great photos. Before you start snapping away, make sure that the rental is clean and tidy. It’s also super helpful to take photos on a sunny day to capture the natural light.
Take advantage of wide-angle lenses to show just how spacious the property is. It also allows the viewer to see the full layout of each room.
3. Include a Virtual Tour or Video Walkthrough
While high-quality photos are extremely important, landlords who want to convert more leads from their rental listing should take it up a notch and include a virtual tour or video walkthrough of the property.
There are plenty of services that will generate a 3D virtual tour of your home using advanced technology, which allows tenants to navigate through the property. Or you can use your phone to shoot a video tour yourself.
Adding a video will help tenants self-qualify and decide if your property is right for their lifestyle and needs, so you won’t waste too much time.
4. Write a Detailed Description
Don’t let the blinking cursor on your screen intimidate you! Writing a detailed description of your rental property is easier than you think—no writing experience required.
The key to writing a detailed and effective listing description is to focus on the benefits your rental offers. Highlighting the amenities and benefits will help potential tenants see themselves living there.
For example, phrases like “Relax on the private balcony” or “Enjoy homecooked meals with modern appliances and granite counters in the kitchen” are extremely engaging and attractive.
5. Be Clear About Rent and Pricing
It might be tempting not to disclose some information, such as exactly how much tenants can expect to pay each month to rent your property. However, it is so much easier to be upfront and transparent about the rent, utilities, and application fees that tenants are expected to pay than to withhold information.
Most likely, tenants who can afford the rent and utilities will contact you for a showing rather than unqualified tenants.
6. Create a Sense of Urgency
Here’s where some marketing psychology comes into play when writing a rental listing that converts leads. You have to create a sense of urgency!
Using phrases like, “This rental won’t last long—contact us today!” expresses to the reader that you are getting a lot of leads and the rental will not be on the market for much longer. So, interested parties know that they should act fast.
7. Be Direct with Next Steps
Many landlords make this one major mistake when creating a rental listing—they don’t tell the potential tenant what steps to take next!
Be clear and direct with what potential tenants should do to contact you to schedule a showing. Do they have to call or text you? Should they fill out an online form or send you an email?
The clearer you are about the next steps, the more leads you’ll get.
8. Advertise on Reliable Platforms
There are a ton of rental listing websites out there, but there are only a handful that are reliable and have good reputations. These include Zillow, Apartments, and Trulia.
Try to avoid posting on the Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, as they can attract unqualified tenants and can be a waste of your time.
9. Offer Rent Incentives
A major tactic to convert more leads is to offer new tenants an incentive to rent your property.
Some incentive examples include:
- 50% off the first month’s rent
- Included wifi service in rent
- Free parking space for the first year
Whatever incentive works within your budget and investment plan can attract more interest in your property.
10. Work with a Property Management Company
The super secret and effective tip to converting more leads on your rental listing is to work with a property management company.
Local property managers know the rental market like the back of their hands. They can whip up an attractive and detailed title and description in mere minutes and send their trusted photographers to grab great photos of the property.
Plus, they have access to professional databases and sites where they can advertise your rental to thousands more people with a few clicks of a button.
That’s not all, though. Property managers will also screen tenants, execute the lease, and continue to manage your property throughout the lease term. It’s a win-win!
Fill Maryland Vacancies in 30 Days or Less with Mainstay Management
Are you tired of waiting for potential tenants to contact you? Are you getting anxious that your rental is sitting empty for weeks?
Then, it’s time to call Mainstay Management!
As Maryland’s leading property management company, we can help you fill vacant rentals in 30 days or less—and we’ll handle all the day-to-day responsibilities moving forward.
Our team of experienced real estate professionals is here to screen tenants, collect rent, manage maintenance, coordinate repairs, and provide detailed accounting reports. So, you can sit back, relax, and cash your rent checks each month.
Contact us to see how we can help you fill your vacancy fast!
If you enjoyed this blog post, make sure to read Hiring a Property Manager to Reduce Tenant Turnover next!