Looking for new tenants? Here are five tried and tested ways to appeal to a wide audience and increase your chances of finding the perfect renter.
1. Advertise online
What’s one of the first things you do when you’re looking for a solution to a problem? You turn to Google! Prospective tenants are no different and they’ll start their search for the perfect home online. To get your property on their radar, make sure you’re listed on all of the popular real estate websites in your area. If you live in a competitive location, where there are lots of properties on the market, then it may be a good idea to pay for a prime spot on the website. Another online avenue to explore is social media – start spreading the word about your vacant property on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
2. Invest in professional photos
Nothing makes a property advertisement shine like gorgeous, high-quality photos. Even if you consider yourself to be quite the amateur photographer, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional. They have the equipment and editing software to make sure only the very best images make the cut. Plus they’re used to photographing properties for a living; they’ll know all the right techniques to make even the dullest of rooms look fantastic on film.
Read more: How a property manager can help you find the best tenant
3. Film a short video
Give prospective tenants a sophisticated tour of the property by filming a short, professional video. This is becoming a popular strategy among real estate agents. People love to be able to ‘get a feel’ for a property without leaving the comfort of their own home. This strategy may also help to minimise the amount of ‘tyre-kickers’ who make viewing appointments. A lot of people come to see a property to fulfil their curiosity, but if they can see a video online then they may not bother – freeing up more time for you to focus on the prospects who are genuinely interested.
4. Make the most of traditional marketing platforms
In today’s digital era, advertising in newspapers and magazines can seem somewhat old-fashioned! However, when it comes to property, traditional platforms still offer an excellent opportunity to get your home in front of prospective tenants. Place an ad in your local paper, put a vacancy note up in local shops and print a flyer to pop in people’s letterboxes. The same goes for investing in quality signage. A simple ‘For Rent’ sign on your front lawn can generate a huge influx of enquiries, especially if you live on a busy street with plenty of foot traffic.
5. Don’t underestimate word of mouth
You can spend a fortune on advertising, when really the perfect tenant could have been looking you in the face all along; a friend, a friend-of-a-friend, a family member, a colleague’s daughter… think of all the people in your network who could be in need of a new home! Don’t keep news about your vacant property quiet. Shout it from the rooftops – you never know who might come out of the woodwork. The only word of caution would be to remember that renting is a professional agreement; if friends and family are interested, make sure they aware of the small print and that ‘mates rates’ don’t apply.
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