How to rent your property in middle of winter?

[Braden Hobbs]

Hello! 

We recently bought a property 5 blocks from the college in Greeley, CO. We planned on our main demographic being students, but, we're in the middle of winter and need to rent the place until summer so mostly we're getting adults/families calling. Right now we're only getting 1-2 calls a day from a sign in the yard. We schedule showings one to two days out from when they call (we live 1 hour away so can't do showing immediately) and most people never show up to the showings. 

I need some advice for getting this place rented, please! 

Here is what I'm currently doing.

1. Listed on Zillow, Trulia, Hotpad, and Craigslist but have only gotten 2 prospects from these sources who have never followed up. 

Question 1: How do I get better and more prospects from these sources?

Question 2: What other sites should I list on?

2. For rent sign in front yard. The property is on a busy street with a main shopping center across the street. Getting lots of calls, but mostly no-shows as stated above.

3. When people call, I tell them the basics about the house (3 bed, 1 bath...) and then I tell them our application process. I tell them we use cozy, and that we verify income and past references. I state we like to see 3x gross income compared to monthly rent for the house.

Question 3: Should I just get it rented in the winter and not be so picky on requirements?

4. We are priced in the top 25% of available listings I can find online. We repainted the entire interior and pulled the carpet and finished the original hardwood flooring. From the comps, I believe we are priced well. 

I know that was a lot of information and questions! I'm looking for any advice to help us get this thing occupied without renting for dirt cheap to bad tenants.

Thanks in advance!