Creating a great rental listing helps to draw in prospective tenants. Writing an effective rental listing can help improve your chances of landing a highly qualified tenant.
5 Steps to Writing an Effective Rental Listing
Here are the steps to hook renters with enticing listings:
- Create an Intriguing Headline
- Write an Engaging Property Description
- Identify Terms
- Use High-Quality Photos
- List How to Apply and Contact Information
1. Create an Intriguing Headline
Potential renters want to be able to identify the key facts of your property without searching around for it. Landlords can get right to the point by listing the price, the number of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms, and a feature that sets your space apart from others.
Features may include:
- Great views (park, water, city)
- Top-rated schools
- Ideal location
- Chef’s kitchen
- Walk-in closets
- Large backyard
You can also add a fun adjective to intrigue renters. Here are some ideas:
- Pristine
- Immaculate
- Energy-efficient
- Costal
- Modern
- Luxurious
- Custom
- Private
- Aesthetically pleasing
Location, Location, Location
One of the best things you can do to describe your property is to discuss your property location. The NAR (National Association of Realtors) found that 69% of home shoppers who take action on a real estate website started their search with a local term like “Dallas Texas homes for rent”.
Adding a specific location or neighborhood can help boost your views and help you reach your ideal tenants.
$2200 – Pristine 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom rental home with chef’s kitchen in Downtown Austin
$2700 – 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom luxurious designer condo with sweeping city views in East Nashville
$4500 – 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bathroom custom home with picturesque backyard in Temecula
2. Write an Engaging Property Description
Once you have hooked potential tenants with your headline, you need to continue to pique their interest with an engaging property description. Pick 1-2 of the best parts of the property to focus on and add them throughout the listing.
Include Property Descriptions
Consider what words and descriptions help paint a picture of your property. It’s important to find a balance between alluring details and intense or “spammy” content. Always err on the simple side. Here are some ideas:
- Gorgeous natural light
- High ceilings
- Tree-lined streets
- Custom tile flooring
- Oversized lot
Discuss the Neighborhood
Potential renters want to know how close the property is to their work, family, or local hangouts. Add information that is specific to your neighborhood. Identify a few nearby major roadways in the property listing and briefly list what is nearby.
Add Included Amenities
Don’t forget to highlight amenities that are appealing to potential tenants. List any amenities located in or near your community including:
- Gym access
- Pool
- Clubhouse
- Walking trail
- Greenbelt
- Lawn Service
- Nearby shopping
Headline: $2200 – Pristine 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom rental home with chef’s kitchen in Downtown Austin (Property Description) This modern and aesthetically pleasing rental home offers high ceilings with tons of natural light. The updated chef’s kitchen features GE Cafe Appliances and Quartz countertops. It is minutes from Lady Bird Lake, UT, and Austin Bergstrom Airport.
Headline: $2700 – 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom luxurious designer condo with sweeping city views in East Nashville (Property Description) This fully furnished apartment features high-end finishes and spa-like bathrooms. Relax in the premium community amenities including a resort-style pool, fitness center, and on-site coffee shop. It is centrally located near shopping, dining, office spaces, and the neon glow of Broadway Street.
Headline: $4500 – 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bathroom custom hillside home with picturesque backyard in Temecula (Property Description) The custom-designed home features rustic wood-beamed ceilings, reclaimed hardwood floors, and two primary suites. Enjoy the panoramic views of Temecula’s Wine Country from your oversized lot with a heated pool and waterfall spa. It is located near Old Town and top-rated schools.
3. Identify Terms
Renters also need to know when the property is available and what lease terms the landlord is willing to accept. Make this language as clear and simple as possible so there is no room for misinterpretation.
Mention any Important Rules
Feel free to add a few brief details about the expectations like who covers the utilities or if there is no Airbnb allowed. Don’t forget to list any HOA policies or ground rules from the start including:
- Pet policy
- Smoking policy
- Security Deposit
Available January 3rd for a 6-month or 12-month lease. The owner pays yard maintenance, renter pays utilities. No smoking on property grounds. No pets.
Security deposit of $1,500 due at lease signing.
Just be sure you know your local and state laws regarding how much you can charge and where the security deposit should be held.
4. Use High-Quality Photos
While you can choose to take the pictures yourself, professionals will always do a better job of it. Their understanding of correct lighting and angles can make your rooms appear light and spacious. If you’re new to real estate photography, your pictures likely won’t showcase the property quite like you’re hoping they will.
Choose 2-3 main photos to use in your rental listing. Photos of the most appealing areas of your home such as the kitchen, living room, or master bedroom should be a top image. You may also want to use a photo of the outside of your home and/or a special amenity like a pool or community clubhouse.
Keep in mind that some rental sites like Zillow allow for several images, so add as many as you have to highlight the best features of your property.
Unless you make major upgrades or complete a home renovation, you can use your high-quality photos for years to come.
Many professional photographers can also create 3D floor plans to offer potential tenants a true picture of what your property looks like. This can help attract potential tenants or save you time from showing the property to those the layout won’t work for.
5. List How to Apply and Contact Information
At the end of your listing don’t forget to add information about how to apply, the application and background fee, and who to contact. You can even put a link to the application to make the tenant screening process as seamless as possible.
Minimum Requirements
Adding a list of minimum requirements can help keep unqualified applicants from applying, saving you time and money. Here are some qualifications to consider:
- Minimum credit score
- No evictions
- No bankruptcies
- Minimum length of employment or bank statement with cash reserve
Rental Listing Red Flags
Experienced renters watch for warning signs that a rental isn’t legit or may have something wrong with it. Check out this list to avoid including any red flags in your listing:
- Vague details
- Excessive use of punctuation (!!!!!!!)
- USING ALL CAPS
- Blurry photos or photos of unclean areas
- Deferred maintenance
- Lack of information about what is required to rent the property (lease, credit check, background check)
- Lack of information about rental price, fees, and utilities
It’s also a good idea to run your listing through sites like Grammarly or Hemmingway App. Misspelled words, confusing wording, and poor grammar may cause your listing to seem like a scam.
Where Should I List My Rental?
The best way to advertise a rental property is to ensure exposure. You want your rental listing to be seen by as many qualified potential renters as possible. Here are some key places to list your rental:
- Real estate housing websites (Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Realtor)
- Rental websites (Apartment Finder, Rent.com, Zumper)
- Social media channels (Facebook, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram)
- Printed flyers for your favorite nearby local spots (coffee shops, community center, gym)
