Advertising your Grand Rapids rental property is an important part of the leasing process. It accomplishes a few things. First, it motivates you to keep the property in excellent condition. Second, it reduces your vacancy time by finding a tenant quickly. Finally, it helps you target and attract high-quality tenants who can be counted on to pay rent on time, take care of the home, and follow the terms of your lease agreement.
The basic purpose of advertising your rental property is to attract tenants.
Any good rental property listing will include photos, well-written descriptions, and pertinent information. There are a few additional details they should include when you really want your marketing to be successful.
Take Some Outstanding Photos
Your photographs will be the first things any potential resident looks at when they come across your listing on any of the popular rental sites they happen to be visiting. The pictures need to be clear and engaging, and there should be a lot of them.
Clean up your property before you take the pictures. You don’t want any debris, personal items, or cleaning materials showing up in the shots. The pictures should show a clean, well-lit home that looks inviting and cozy. Include photos of the kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, and any outdoor space. Don’t forget special features like garden tubs or stainless appliances. Your photos should tell a story and draw prospective residents to come and see it.
Video tours can also be useful. It gives a tenant a real-time idea of how the property looks, what the layout of the home is, and whether the space works for them.
Include a Descriptive Narrative
Once they’ve scrolled through the photos, your potential renters will move onto you description. You want to be detailed, but don’t stretch the truth and oversell it. Make sure everything you say is accurate. Describe the house and also the neighborhood. Let people know if the property is close to good schools, shopping, and restaurants. Highlight the features that make the home special, such as updated appliances or new paint.
Online Grand Rapids Rental Property Advertising
Your listing will get the most attention on the popular rental websites that highly qualified tenants are using. Platforms like Zillow, Trulia, HotPads, Zumper, RentCafe, and Rentals.com are your best online spaces. Avoid sites like Craigslist, which are labor-intensive to keep up with and often invite fraud and deception.
Track the number of responses you get so you can adjust any of the information in your ad if necessary. If you notice that a lot of people are clicking on the home but choosing not to contact you, there may be a problem with your price. If plenty of people are coming to see the home but no one wants to fill out an application, you might want to take a second look at the condition of your property. The results of your advertising campaign can help drive good decisions.
Follow Up with a Responsive Showing Process
When your marketing efforts get the attention of prospective tenants, your strategy shouldn’t stop there. These potential renters will want to see your property, and you’ll need to facilitate an easy showing process. Many owners and Grand Rapids property management companies are using technology and smart locks to allow prospective tenants to see the home on their own time. Others prefer in-person showings. Be flexible.
If you’d like to hear more about how we take care of advertising your home, please contact us at Short South Realty Group. We’d be happy to serve as your Grand Rapids property management resource.