There are three things a potential tenant will look for when scanning rental ads: a catchy headline, a short, informative description, and high-quality photos.
An apartment rental ad that ticks these three boxes is much more likely to catch a renter’s eye and isn’t likely to get lost in the crowd. Taking the time to craft a well-written, informative rental ad not only attracts the right searchers, but it also reduces the number of dead-end calls you’ll have to field. And, it’s one of the best ways to get your property rented faster. Follow our tips on how to write a rental ad to ensure yours covers all the key information.
Catchy Headline
You’re competing with thousands of other rental listings, so yours needs to stand out among the rest. Start with a catchy headline and you’ll draw renters into your ad. Once they’re in, they’ll be looking for certain pieces of information to narrow down their search results, such as:
- Monthly rent
- Number of bedrooms & bathrooms
- Type of dwelling
- Location
In fact, putting some of this information in your title will help renters know if it’s what they’re looking for without even clicking into it. The tricky part is making it interesting by adding an enticing feature as well. For instance, if you accept pets or have a great view, mention it in your headline.
Which of these two headlines would make you click on it?
- $1,800 – 2-Bed/2-Bath Duplex in Old Town Chicago
- $1,800 – 2-Bed / 2-Bath Duplex in Old Town Chicago with skyline views of the city and lake
Adding more to your headline can make your property stand out among similar listings and garner more interest from renters.
Short Informative Description
Start with the most unique features of the property to help the renter visualize it. Add descriptive words, to describe features. You’ll also want to mention the neighborhood. Is it hip, fun, professional, quiet, vibrant? What’s nearby? Are there parks, public transportation stops, bars, restaurants, or shopping markets? Here’s an example:
Recently renovated, 2-bed, 2-bath duplex apartment with city skyline views, large, open floorplan perfect for entertaining. Located in a vibrant neighborhood filled with young professionals, two blocks from the neighborhood’s main street, and within walking distance to funky bars, restaurants, and an organic food market.
Finish up by including any amenities or further information they need to make a decision, such as:
- Parking
- Utilities included or not
- Appliances
- A/C
- Smoking policy
- Pet policy
- Rent amount
- Security deposit
- Contact name and number
Then, try to give one more exciting detail to make it stand out from other listings, like if there’s an onsite fitness center or in-unit laundry. The final ad might look something like this:
Recently renovated, 2-bed, 2-bath duplex apartment with city skyline views and large, open floorplan perfect for entertaining. Located in a vibrant neighborhood filled with young professionals, two blocks from the neighborhood’s main street, and within walking distance to funky bars, restaurants, and an organic food market. Onsite, residents-only gym. Pet-friendly. $1800/month plus security deposit of one month’s rent due at move-in. Utilities not included. Call Sarah at (206) 841-7512.
Great Photos
Now that you’ve taken the time to craft a rent advert worthy of reading, don’t make the mistake of using low-quality photos. No matter how enticing your words, if you don’t show the property in its best light by including high-quality photos, potential renters will steer clear and not give your listing the time of day. Photos can definitely make or break your rent advert.
Here are some top tips to keep in mind:
- Always include one photo of each room
- Turn on the lights and open the curtains to let natural light in
- Clean and tidy up the space
- Remove clutter and any cleaning materials
- Rearrange furniture, if necessary
- Include photos of special features
- Include photos of the view, yard, or landscaping
If you’re not confident with your photography skills, it might be well worth spending the money to get your property staged and photographed by a professional. Along with your well-written copy, this can make the difference between a killer rental listing that gets snapped up quickly and one that lingers for weeks without much action.
Writing your own listing can be rewarding if it’s done well. Take the time to worry about the little things, like cleaning the unit before pictures are taken and wordsmithing a standout headline. You’ll reap the benefits when renters are drawn to your listings and you’re fielding calls from qualified leads. Find out what catches a renter’s eye and follow our tips to write a rental ad that ticks all the boxes.
Think you’re ready to write your own rental ad? Get started with Zumper and post your listing, screen tenants, and collect rent payment, all in one place.
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