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Updated over 3 years ago, 06/18/2021

User Stats

21
Posts
2
Votes
Hoang Nguen
  • San Jose, CA
2
Votes |
21
Posts

Post rental on Facebook Marketplace

Hoang Nguen
  • San Jose, CA
Posted

Dear All,

I want to post my rental on Facebook Marketplace. Can you please share any pros and cons to post rental on Facebook Marketplace? Can people see my personal profile?

Thanks,

Hoang

User Stats

68
Posts
44
Votes
Daniella Sanchez
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Melrose Park
44
Votes |
68
Posts
Daniella Sanchez
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Melrose Park
Replied

Hi Hoang, 

You can post on Facebook Marketplace, it's really become a place for more than just social networking. In college I subleased my apartment through Facebook 3 times and didn't have an issue. You can also change the setting on your facebook account that will make your account private to anyone you're not friends with (you don't have to be friends with your potential tenants). This way, they can respond to your for rent ad, but they will not be able to see your facebook profile and all that you post on there. 

User Stats

6,023
Posts
9,404
Votes
Dennis M.#5 General Landlording & Rental Properties Contributor
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, pa
9,404
Votes |
6,023
Posts
Dennis M.#5 General Landlording & Rental Properties Contributor
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Erie, pa
Replied

It’s the greatest screening tool ever created for landlords . I do all my rentals exclusively this way .

I can pick through the crap to get to the corn using their profiles I can know right away who’s a good fit and who is a loser . Love love love Facebook for real estate

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User Stats

56
Posts
49
Votes
Replied

I used it before. Millions of questions answered in the ad. So they didn’t read. Then lots of private message asking if eviction, no job, ten animals were okay. 

The reach is amazing but I prefer to provide a link to Zillow or cozy and let them apply there. All the reach and it typically weeds out the BS. 

User Stats

51
Posts
26
Votes
Brett Jones
  • Investor
  • Ellsworth, ME
26
Votes |
51
Posts
Brett Jones
  • Investor
  • Ellsworth, ME
Replied

I had three turnovers this summer and I've found I'm getting a much larger response from Facebook than Craigslist, but 2 out of the three tenants came in via Craigslist. I do like the ability to peek into the life of prospective tenants that Facebook allows. If you're worried about listing under a personal account, setup an account for your rental business and post under that.

User Stats

87
Posts
100
Votes
Chris R.
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Southern NH
100
Votes |
87
Posts
Chris R.
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Southern NH
Replied

I agree with everyone’s comments here. I create a Zillow listing page but also duplicate it in FB...people put on a perfect face for an apartment walk through but you can see how they really live from their FB profile. VERY helpful free screening tool. 

User Stats

21
Posts
2
Votes
Hoang Nguen
  • San Jose, CA
2
Votes |
21
Posts
Hoang Nguen
  • San Jose, CA
Replied

Thanks so much to all of you

User Stats

682
Posts
729
Votes
Daniel Haberkost
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Colorado Springs, CO
729
Votes |
682
Posts
Daniel Haberkost
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Colorado Springs, CO
Replied

@Hoang Nguen

Facebook marketplace is great as you can see the individual’s personal profile when they message you. I use it to fill all of my rooms!

User Stats

560
Posts
690
Votes
Jeff Brower
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Willoughby, OH
690
Votes |
560
Posts
Jeff Brower
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Willoughby, OH
Replied

Be ready for 90% of the messages to read 'is this available'? I put in the message that if they ask 'is this available' then I will not respond as I will delete the ad the minute it is rented. I also list my criteria right at the top and people ask questions that are already answered. I know if they are asking me these questions then they did not read the ad. 

A big one for me is putting 'please do not message after 10pm or before 8am'. You will get messages at 3am waking you up, I have to silence my phone at night for these reasons. 

User Stats

1,096
Posts
943
Votes
Jennifer T.
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • New Orleans, LA
943
Votes |
1,096
Posts
Jennifer T.
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • New Orleans, LA
Replied

This is probably obvious, but also be wary of scammers.  I had a rental ad up a few months ago and had three different people request information through IM.  And then, at some point in our back and forth when we were not actively chatting, posted a video link in my IM.  Maybe it was a virus.  Maybe it was merely an ad.  Whatever it was, never click on a video link that a rando sends you.

I also had some guy waste a few minutes of my time because I thought he was contacting me for my ad.  But quickly got wind it was the first feelers of a romance scam, ie "from Houston, but overseas", "so lonely", "looking for friends".  Command of the English language was "off".  It was just so funny and patheticly bad, I couldn't help but laugh instead of being annoyed.

  • Jennifer T.
  • User Stats

    634
    Posts
    414
    Votes
    David Barnett
    Pro Member
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Cambridge, MA
    414
    Votes |
    634
    Posts
    David Barnett
    Pro Member
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Cambridge, MA
    Replied

    I agree with what everyone said.  I wanted to throw in a new wrinkle for people that are looking for deals to take down.  When the landlords post it to their personal page, I love it.  It makes it easy to start a conversation with them via IM and see if they would be interested in selling their property.

  • David Barnett
  • User Stats

    199
    Posts
    186
    Votes
    Heath M.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Chattanooga, TN
    186
    Votes |
    199
    Posts
    Heath M.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Chattanooga, TN
    Replied

    I use FaceBook but send them to Cozy for the application process.  Like above, you will get the "Is this available" way too much.  I basically had a standard cut and paste response but next time I think I'll put in there that I will ignore the generic response.  It was comical to view some profiles of people asking me for info...  

    FB Marketplace is the new CraigsList, everything is being sold on there.  Also join your local for sale groups, I was able to target market that way as well. 

    User Stats

    3,789
    Posts
    4,452
    Votes
    Cody L.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • San Diego, Ca
    4,452
    Votes |
    3,789
    Posts
    Cody L.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • San Diego, Ca
    Replied
    Originally posted by @Jeff Brower:

    Be ready for 90% of the messages to read 'is this available'? I put in the message that if they ask 'is this available' then I will not respond as I will delete the ad the minute it is rented. I also list my criteria right at the top and people ask questions that are already answered. I know if they are asking me these questions then they did not read the ad. 

    A big one for me is putting 'please do not message after 10pm or before 8am'. You will get messages at 3am waking you up, I have to silence my phone at night for these reasons. 

    So funny.  I finally posted a few units on FB marketplace.  I get a TON of "is it still available" (even though my listing says "If you're reading this then YES, it's still available".  But worse, of all the people I've replied to (I have a saved reply that says something like "Yes, it's available.  To setup a time to view call our office @ xxxxxxx M-F, 9-6".  I've had a grand total of zero leases from FB.  In fact, we've had ZERO calls from FB.  And worst yet, I think I've gotten maybe 2 or 3 replies back after I answered their question.

    And our properties are in areas that you'd think would get lots of FB marketplace love. 

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    User Stats

    27,333
    Posts
    40,222
    Votes
    Nathan Gesner
    Property Manager
    Agent
    Pro Member
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cody, WY
    40,222
    Votes |
    27,333
    Posts
    Nathan Gesner
    Property Manager
    Agent
    Pro Member
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Cody, WY
    ModeratorReplied

    Facebook is great exposure, especially because anyone that sees your add can tag friends or share it to another page.

    The bad news? Just like a yard sign, you will end up getting a lot of inquiries from people that can't possibly qualify.

    "Do you have more pictures?"

    "Is this still available?"

    "Will you accept five dogs and a miniature horse and let me pay the deposit in 17 installments of $52.94 and pay my rent every month on the 24th? Oh, and I'm not currently working but my uncle can pay my rent until I can get a job. By the way, I notice the walls are a light grey and that triggers my anxiety so would you allow me to paint?"

    • Nathan Gesner
    business profile image
    The DIY Landlord
    4.7 stars
    150 Reviews

    User Stats

    546
    Posts
    226
    Votes
    Rob B.
    • Chicago, IL
    226
    Votes |
    546
    Posts
    Rob B.
    • Chicago, IL
    Replied

    Definitely a good resource; I noted in a different post that I have several family members who actually found their most recent rentals via the FB marketplace. Having said that, there are still some great options out there which may be able to help you keep everything in one place (listing the property to 10+ major rental listing sites, managing listing responses + scheduling viewing times, tenant screening w/ a fully comprehensive application, digital lease creation, online rent collection, and maintenance request tracking). @Hoang Nguen

    User Stats

    378
    Posts
    306
    Votes
    Jim S.
    • Sterman, MI
    306
    Votes |
    378
    Posts
    Jim S.
    • Sterman, MI
    Replied

    FB.....to many tire kickers. No leases.

    User Stats

    49
    Posts
    28
    Votes
    Kelly Clark
    Pro Member
    • Investor
    • Spokane, WA
    28
    Votes |
    49
    Posts
    Kelly Clark
    Pro Member
    • Investor
    • Spokane, WA
    Replied

    @Brett Jones How do you post a rental from a business page? I can't seem to find that option.

  • Kelly Clark
  • User Stats

    28
    Posts
    5
    Votes
    Mike R.
    • Investor
    • Orwigsburg, PA
    5
    Votes |
    28
    Posts
    Mike R.
    • Investor
    • Orwigsburg, PA
    Replied

    @Brett Jones I have the same question. FB doesn't seem to give you the option of posting a rental to Marketplace from a FB business page.

    User Stats

    898
    Posts
    805
    Votes
    Dan Maciejewski
    Agent
    • Realtor
    • PInellas County Largo, FL
    805
    Votes |
    898
    Posts
    Dan Maciejewski
    Agent
    • Realtor
    • PInellas County Largo, FL
    Replied

    @Mike R., @Kelly Clark,
    AFAIK, business pages are for running paid ads (or wasting money boosting posts).  They do not have access to the marketplace. 
     
    If you want the Marketplace, it has to be from a personal page.  You can either change your settings so only Friends can see your posts, or create a new personal page with no info.

    User Stats

    436
    Posts
    359
    Votes
    Sarah Brown
    Agent
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Nampa, ID
    359
    Votes |
    436
    Posts
    Sarah Brown
    Agent
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Nampa, ID
    Replied

    All I get very time I post on FB is people complaining about rising rent prices.  Not worth it.  I get way better return on Craigslist and other sites my software syndicates to. 

    User Stats

    49
    Posts
    28
    Votes
    Kelly Clark
    Pro Member
    • Investor
    • Spokane, WA
    28
    Votes |
    49
    Posts
    Kelly Clark
    Pro Member
    • Investor
    • Spokane, WA
    Replied

    Thanks @Dan Maciejewski. Thanks for letting me know that I should stop looking for a unicorn. I've had great success finding tenants on FB. It takes some time sifting through the weeds but copy and paste makes it easy to reply with "... Yes, it's still available. More details are on our website..." I love the ability to look at the profiles of potential tenants. 

  • Kelly Clark
  • User Stats

    898
    Posts
    805
    Votes
    Dan Maciejewski
    Agent
    • Realtor
    • PInellas County Largo, FL
    805
    Votes |
    898
    Posts
    Dan Maciejewski
    Agent
    • Realtor
    • PInellas County Largo, FL
    Replied
    Originally posted by @Kelly Clark:

    Thanks @Dan Maciejewski. Thanks for letting me know that I should stop looking for a unicorn. I've had great success finding tenants on FB. It takes some time sifting through the weeds but copy and paste makes it easy to reply with "... Yes, it's still available. More details are on our website..." I love the ability to look at the profiles of potential tenants. 

     That's great -- most of my tenants have come from Zillow group.  Nothing but bad news from cragslist or yard signs.  

    With Zillow charging, I may have to start to branch out to FB!

    User Stats

    15
    Posts
    6
    Votes
    Ben Jacobs
    • Property Manager
    • Milwaukee, WI
    6
    Votes |
    15
    Posts
    Ben Jacobs
    • Property Manager
    • Milwaukee, WI
    Replied

    Any of you check out syndications with turbotenant, zumper, avail?  Looking forward to the day Facebook MarketPlace allows to post as a business page.  Anyone look into that recently?  There's no way I'm posting on FB with my personal profile.  We specialize in taking on the calls/texts/emails/spam/solicitations so landlords don't need to.  I know all about the "is your property for rent?", "can you send me more pictures?", "I want to buy your property with all cash", and on and on.... As of now, no thanks FaceBook.

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    User Stats

    22
    Posts
    1
    Votes
    Replied

    I am getting an error and now allowed to create a post on FB marketplace. Any idea why?