If you’re trying to rent your house or apartment fast and having trouble, don’t panic. It could be due to a number of reasons, and there are plenty of things you can do to make your rental more appealing to potential tenants.
The best way to find tenants for your rental property? Following 5 simple steps. With these tips you’ll find good renters and have that apartment leased in no time.
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1. Take quality photos
Generally, the first thing that catches a renter’s eyes are the pictures of the unit, which is why having quality property photos is so important. Put yourself in the tenant’s shoes: Would you rather live in a place that looks dark and cold, or one that’s warm and inviting?
The pictures of your property will be the starting point for potential renters, and they will likely use them to decide whether to tour your unit or not. The better the photos, the faster you’ll have qualified renters knocking on your door.
How to get quality photos? A few pieces of advice:
- You can either hire a professional or learn how to take good property photos on your own; whatever you decide, just make sure the pictures are both accurate and put the unit in a good light
- Good pictures will add to the legitimacy of your property; this will be key in finding quality tenants, as they have certain standards when it comes to how much effort landlords and property management companies put into their listings
- Include pictures that do the unit justice; crisp, clean, and nicely framed photos give potential tenants an idea of what the property actually looks like and what it could look like once they decorate it
2. Write detailed listings
One of the best ways to get your property rented faster is to create a detailed, well-written listing. Be sure to be as specific and comprehensive as possible; renters generally know what they’re looking for, and if your description hits all of their criteria, you’ll get a tenant in no time.
Here are a few things to mention when writing up your property listing description:
- Room dimensions (kitchen, bedrooms, living room)
- Pet restrictions, if any
- Hardwood floors or carpeting
- Washer/Dryer in-unit or on-site
- Central heat and air
- Balcony or patio
- Additional complex amenities
- Neighborhood vibe
- Public transportation nearby
3. Play up its strengths
Maybe your rental property has a backyard and it’s in a neighborhood where those are rare. Or, perhaps there’s in-unit laundry or walk-in closets, hardwood flooring or granite countertops. Whatever the property’s strengths are, be sure to make them known to potential tenants:
- In the listing, make sure the strengths are clear
- On a tour, make sure you point out the specific aspects of the home or apartment that make it unique
- Explain why this particular unit is a great place to live and play up its assets
4. Get updated appliances
If you’re having trouble renting your home or apartment, one problem might be that your appliances are out of date. New, shiny appliances can go a long way with renters, especially in the kitchen. Think about it, who wants to cook on a stove from the 1970s when they could choose a rental with sleek, new appliances?
Where to start:
- Update the refrigerator. Old refrigerators should be recycled due to the materials they’re made of
- Replace the stove and oven. Try to buy this and the refrigerator at one store to get a bulk discount, or buy directly from a warehouse/distributor to get a cheaper price
- Paint the interior and exterior; a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference
5. Offer a move-in special
Money speaks! If you really want to find a tenant quickly, offer a move-in special. It’s common for landlords or property managers to offer these deals in order to quickly get renters to sign a lease. A few ways you can do this:
- Offer a “first month free” deal for tenants who sign a lease before the previous month ends
- Consider waiving the security deposit for potential tenants; renters are already forking over money for the first month’s rent (plus there might be an overlap with their previous apartment’s rent payment) so taking the security deposit element out of the process might entice them to rent from you
- Suggest a lower rent amount in exchange for a longer lease; the lower rent price will make the property appealing and you’ll be guaranteed a long-term renter
- Waive the application fee; although its small, it’s one thing renters can take off of their running list of fees associated with moving in to a new place
These tips provide a starting point for getting your property rented out. If you’re still having trouble, consider using Zumper, our free product that allows you to market your property to millions of renters with just one listing. You’ll even get access to our tenant screening product where you can manage your screenings and background checks.
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