1. A clear headline – Each site allows for a headline. It is best to not use the address in the headline but rather phrases like Townhome For Rent in Denver – Granite Countertops or Three Bedroom Home For Rent in Atlanta.
2. A detailed Description – 1 bd 2 bth, fireplace is not a very good description.The description should be rich in detail but not too long. What are some of the words or adjectives that help decrease vacancy rates for rental properties? Here's the breakdown: - Granite -State-of-the-art -Stainless Steel –Appliances -vaulted Ceilings –Maple – Gourmet – Corian - Wood Floors.
3. Add Photos - Statistics show that adding at least one photo dramatically increases the amount of qualified leads that are sent to you. Things to keep in mind when taking photos of the property: Make sure there is enough light. Remove any knick knacks from the table or refrigerator. People do not like the sight of clutter. Top areas to take photos of: Front of home -- Kitchen -- Bath -- Living Room -- Back Yard
4. Pricing - Depending on the product or in our case, the home you are trying to rent. It is best to put $995/Month instead of $1,000/Month. View more on Psychology of Pricing here
5. Your Company Name and Contact – How can potential tenants get a hold of you? Be sure to add your company name and contact information to each ad.
6. Benefits, benefits, benefits – Put yourself in the shoes of the tenant searching for a property. Why should they contact you and a particular property. What are the benefits of the property?
7. Visibility – Tenants interested in finding rental properties search across many rental sites. If you use postlets (www.postlets.com) to post to your area Craigslist, your listing is automatically posted to their partner sites.
8. Tracking - This is often of interest to clients and is used to justify reducing the rent. Use it effectively if your website allows this function.
9. Virtual Tours – They say pictures are worth a 1000 words than virtual tours must be worth 1 million. Take the time to develop a virtual tour.
10. Spell Check – Remember first impressions are the most important. Make sure you double check spelling. An easy way to check spelling is to put your description in Microsoft word and spell check before adding to the web.
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.
Central Virginia
LandlordWhisperer
View our available Charlottesville, Albemarle and Lake Monticello rental homes online with photos and floor plans
"...to be a Virginian, either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one's Mother's side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign Country, and a Benediction from the Almighty God...." Anonymous
Wallace-good information here. One of my pet peeves, number 10, if you never learned how to spell (or for the benefit of the doubt, maybe your fingers move quicker than your brain) PLEASE use spellcheck. I cringe when I see one of our intelligent Rainers misspell words-makes you look like a dummy to consumers.
Lisa * I totally agree....it's an IMPORTANT tool that many do not know how to use - thank you for your comment
Good morning Wallace,
Great 10 steps! I'm like Lisa #10 is annoying..it only takes a minute to spell check. First impressions are everything!
Thanks for the outline.
I will have to check on postlets also as they are new to me.
Don
Don * the slideshow on the side are postlet ads and I use the HTML to post to Craigslist!!!
Wallace, this one is worth bookmarking for future use. Thanks for the info.
Michael * feel free to re-blog to groups I have not posted to!!!
Wallace,
All good items. I did see another post talking about using the address for better SEO. I have tried address and some info! It's a work in progress.
All the best, Michelle
Wallace - Great information. I could use a tracking system to report to my clients how many hits they are receiving. Everything else I am good with. Great list.