5 Tips for Writing the Perfect Rental Listing

When you invest in a rental property, your goal is to make money. No one wants to end up with a rental unit that is sitting empty and not making a profit. The first step towards getting any type of return on your investment is to find the right tenants. A winning starting point is to write a rental listing that will grab attention.

In the same way that a poorly written resume or business proposal can fail to get the attention that you desire, a lackluster rental listing can result in an empty unit. The most important aspect of writing a winning rental listing is grabbing the attention of potential tenants. Once you have grabbed some interest, it’s time to close the deal with a detailed listing that informs potential renters of exactly what you are offering.

The average renter spends more than two months in their search for a new home. It’s important that as a property owner, you dedicate equal time to creating an effective rental listing. Listings that don’t contain enough information may end up costing property owners time and money. Renters searching for a leasing opportunity want to be as informed as possible before they decide.

A rental listing that is missing crucial information could result in a lot of wasted time returning dead-end calls and emails. It’s to your and your potential renter’s advantage to include as many details as you can about your rental in your listing.

Whether you are an independent landlord or are taking advantage of the management services of a firm like Emerald Management & Realty it’s important to create a winning listing. Let’s look at a few tips for writing the perfect rental listing.

Catchy Headline

With the markets flooded with rental listings, you will have to work hard to get noticed. Forget the standard greeting lines like, “two bedrooms/full bath available in downtown.” Those are boring and will not inspire many renters to click for further information. Your listing title should be viewed as your advertisement designed to get attention. When considering your headline, think about the things that set your rental apart from the rest. Perhaps you have a unique balcony space, an open floor plan, or your rental is close to desirable amenities. These are the types of references that you should lead with.

Provide All Property Information

The more information that you can provide in your listing about your property, the easier it will be to weed out inquiries from unqualified candidates. Renters are finding a place that will fit all of their needs where they can make a home. Reading through incomplete listings that don’t give out much information becomes a waste of both their time and yours. When you write your listing, you need to include all of the following property details.

Lease Costs and Fees

• The most critical detail to be included in your listing is the cost of the rent. Give details on the duration of the lease along with any additional fees. An amount for any required security deposit and the average cost of monthly utilities should also be included. These details will instantly create a price point that will only be followed up by qualified candidates.

Property Details

• Your listing should provide the total square footage, including a breakdown of each room. List the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the size of each of the common areas, including kitchen and living room. You can include a floorplan in your listing to give potential renters a visual breakdown of the layout.

Upgrades and Features

• If any part of your unit has undergone a renovation, it should be included in your listing. This is an excellent opportunity to display the highlights of your unit, including any desirable features like Energy Star appliances, new flooring, large windows with a view, storage space, and a security system.

Professional Photos

Potential renters want to be able to visualize the space that you are offering to help them figure out if it will work for them. Posting professional-level photographs can help your listing to shine. Listing that has only a few low-quality images do not often draw in a great response. You should include at least 10 to 12 photos of your property. Include pictures of the following to create a visually appealing listing.

• Outdoor entrance
• Individual rooms from at least one angle
• Windows and views
• Interesting features
• Yard or patio

It takes care to capture just the right photos for your listing. Before your photo shoot, make sure that all your blinds and drapes are open allowing for the best natural lighting. Try to avoid capturing mirrors in your photos as it can result in a confusing image of the space. Before you list your photos, convert the images to a minimum of 300×500 pixels to maximize the viewing quality.

Transparent Policies

It’s best to be upfront about all of your policies and restrictions in your listing. This can help to avoid any confusion or disappointment later in the leasing process. You may have policies in place that could either close the deal or be a deal-breaker. In your listing, include your policies on pets, smoking, parking, and noise restrictions.

Include Amenities

Rental units are a dime a dozen. It’s often the amenities that are offered that help renters make their final decision. As a draw for potential renters, your listing is the perfect place to advertise everything that your property has to offer. You can also include details about your neighborhood that may be desirable. For example:

• Hot tub
• Shared entertainment facilities
• Shared gymnasium
• Pool
• Public transportation access
• Downtown access
• Nearby recreation and entertainment
• Local grocery stores
• Local restaurants
• Theaters
• Hiking trails and parks
• Security features
• Outdoor features including balcony or yard

Once you have put together all the details of your listing, it’s a good idea to proofread what you have. Try to read your listing in the same way that a potential renter would see it. Consider any details that may need to be included. Your listing should act as an introduction to a new home for your potential renters.