Rate my rental listing!

[Chirag Shah]

Happy new year everyone!

I am in the process of finding a tenant for a unit within my duplex (currently house hacking it), and wanted to ask for the community's feedback on my listing and anything I can do to guarantee I find a tenant before I move. I have not gone through this process before as I inherited tenants in both my properties (duplex, fourplex), and fortunately, haven't had a need to evict and re-rent (though, they are not perfect).

I will break down my thinking to provide context in how I came to my rental listing and requested rent amount.

Listing Analysis:

• Conducted an analysis using rentometer, the analysis considered properties within <3 mile radius, only duplex units, posted within the past 3 months. 
• The average rents for comparable properties was $1,368
• The average sq ft was ~1100
• Most properties were 2/1's; most did not have a backyard
• All properties had to mid-level rehab, some are very high-end and could be considered outliers
• Analysis can be found at this spreadsheet. 

My Listing:

• Rent: $1,375
• Sq Ft: 948
• Makeup: 2/2; very large backyard
• Mid-high level rehab (stainless appliances, refinished cabinets and countertops, laminate throughout, updated fixtures)

Listing Channels:

• My listing can be found  here on zillow.
• It has been posted for 11 days
• The channels:
  • Zillow
  • Realtor.com
  • Trulia
  • Hotpads
  • Apartments.com
  • Craigslist
  • Facebook
  • Forrent

Listing Performance:

• 20+ leads on Facebook
  • 19+ - no responses to request for pre-screen call
  • 1 qualified - did not show up to showing time
• 2 leads on Craiglist
  • 2 qualified - both interested, but did not meet timeline
• 1 lead on realtor.com 
  • No response to request for pre-screen call
• 8 views on zillow.com - ranking 2/8 in zip code
  • No applications yet

My questions:

1. Should I take better photos? Based on my observations, I have more pictures than my competitors, but they are not the highest quality.
2. Should I update my listing copy? I could write more, but I am aware people scan in the modern world, so not sure if that will help. 
3. Are the holidays to blame? I posted this on the 22nd, right before the heart of the holidays, so that might be what is delaying interest.

All feedback is welcome!

Thanks in advance.