Marketing

[Bryan N.]

I have read the blogs, heard some of the podcasts, and miscellaneous forum posts.  In addition to using craigslist or postlets, what other marketing techniques or tips are other people currently using to attract tenants to properties?

Thanks for any inputs 

[Account Closed]

Let me start with this: Curtis N. is 100% right. 

I currently manage the marketing efforts of over 1,500 single-family properties and despite our digital adverting and online efforts - our FOR RENT signs generate a large portion of our traffic. Second to that our goal ALWAYS is for resident referrals to contribute to our leads - this is of course a bigger issue concerning resident retention and the monetary rewards you are willing to pay for referrals (if any at all).

For MACK Companies (our rentMACK division) leads are generated primarily by:

1. rentals.com ADs (paid online and syndicated advertising)

2. FOR RENT signs (placed in the home the moment construction beings so we can pre-lease the home)

3. Craigslist (it's still a very active player in the rental market - and if you can afford to you should partner with advertisers that build CL codes for you) 

4. MLS: we list all of our rentals as such on the realtor MLS database and pay competitive commission to realtors that bring us renters (1/2 months rent)