Where to advertise my rental property?

Question

Hello!

I renovated a 1890's home in Saint Louis, MO and I am having some trouble getting any leads for renters. It is all updated with LED lights, new paint, new insulation, new plumbing, gas stove/ oven, updated cabinets, off street parking, w/d in building, and shared stage space in the basement. It is 1100 sq feet and on the 2nd floor. My realtor suggested I list it at $975, to which I only had 1 response. I dropped the price to $895 and had someone back out on me the day the lease was to be signed. Its been vacant for nearly 1.5 months and the price is $850. I'll get maybe a lead or two a week but rarely schedule a showing.

The apartment is currently listed on CL, Zillow, and trulia. Are there any other strategies I am missing to get this unit rented?

Thank you!

Sid Bergstresser · Answer

I listed a home on Postlets and within hours I was getting calls and emails. I actually increased the rent by 15% based on all of the interest and still had more traffic than I could handle. I'm not saying that was all due to Postlets, it was a great house to start with, but Postlets will put your listing on about 25 different websites. You never know where people are looking.

Do you mind sharing the address of the property so we can see the details?

Good luck.

Sid

Do you mind sharing the address of the property so we can see the details?

Good luck.

Sid

Russell Brazil · Answer

@Tim Beadle Every market and sub market is incredibly different and having the knowledge of what should work in the market and submarket that property is in is very important.  Here in the DC metro area most rentals are placed through Craigslist with Zillow, then the MLS following 2nd and third.  But if you go just a little further north to Frederick MD, yard signs work incredibly well and Craigslist does not work well. I own properties in Boston as well, and up there rental placement is dominated by the MLS and real estate agents.

If you are using Craigslist, and that does work in your market...make sure you have several adds running, and that you continue to renew them so that they end up near the top of the page when people are looking.

If your agent posted it on the MLS, is the fee to the renters agent a sufficient amount for your area? If it is too low, agents may not even be looking at it.

Chris Harpstrite · Answer

What I found extremely useful is buying this for rent sign from Lowes: http://www.lowes.com/pd_670401-37672-843231___?pro...

It is a great sign, I actually never even put the sign in the yard, that is how great it works! It is a text for information sign where prospective tenants can text the number on the sign and it will direct them to a website where all the pictures and info is located. But the truly great thing about this company is that is posts your ad to zillow, padmapper, and multiple other rental search sites automatically. That is why I never had to put the sign in the yard, I had so many leads off of the online websites that I never even got the chance to set the sign out.

Account Closed · Answer

The news paper works best for me.

Lynne Hart · Answer

Another thought Tim - if your 1890s home is in the city in an area where rentals may be primarily students, we're past the peak renting seasons...... not impossible to find renters, but much easier starting in March through early September.

Tim Beadle · Answer

@Russell Brazil: I did not put in on MLS. Craigslist, Zillow, and word of mouth seem to be the biggest means of finding apartments in stl. We have hyper local neighborhood apps that I have also posted it on. @Sid Bergstresser I used postlets, it was a breeze and creates a nice ad. That is where my few leads have come from. @Chris HarpstriteThat is an awesome sign. Mine is the basic red and black one. I have received a few calls from it.

Scott Weaner · Answer

@Chris Harpstrite that is pretty cool! I will definitely try it for my next unit.

Here is the site that you use with the sign: Register Your Sign

Elia S. · Answer

Tim hi i would also try radpad.com as well as all the info Mr.Russell Brazil mentioned.

good luck.

Sylvia Hanna · Answer

Put it on Realtor.com as well.  Theres also pad lister and hot pads.  Good luck!

Where to advertise my rental property?

Most Popular Reply