Marketing a SFR to employees of a nearby industry

[Matt R.]

Hello all!

I recently bought my very first single-family rental, and I'm in the process of getting it fixed up now.  There are still hammers to swing and paintbrushes to wield, but I am starting to look ahead at getting it rented out.

There is a light industrial plant (food and ingredients) that is very close to the house... their property line is about 8 houses away from mine, and the house front door is about a quarter-mile walk from the front door of the plant.

Even better, the company just expanded the plant with a second building, and have billboards up around town saying "We're hiring!"  The starting pay they list on the billboard even fits nicely to where I think the rent for the house should be.  My pitch to potential tenants would be simple... walk to work and save money! 

So... how do I tell all these new employees, with wads of cash in their pockets, about my house?

I've come up with two ideas so far.

1.  Create a small ad flyer for the house.  Write a letter to the HR director, asking them to post the flyer on the employee bulletin board, and snail-mail the letter and flyer to them.

Pros: In theory, HR would like to know about housing options near their plant, because employees need a place to live.

Cons: HR may get a lot of this kind of stuff already and might be used to tossing it in the trash.

2.  I think I've identified a couple of the employee "smoke holes", from driving by at various times of day.  They are close to the sidewalk; I could walk up and talk to the employees without having to go through a gate or anything.  Create a flyer as above, then walk up to an employee, ask them to post it on the bulletin board, and maybe offer them a little cash if that ad rents the house.

Pros: Everybody likes cash.  Avoids dealing with the "gatekeepers".

Cons: Finding an employee who is willing to do it.  The company may not like third-party ads on the board.

Are there other things that have worked for you?

This isn't the *only* way I plan to advertise this house - I will list it online as well (many sites via Postlets, my own web site, etc).  I just figure my odds might be a little better with the employees of this plant.

Thanks!

Matt R.