Rental ads in Denver

[Steven Tawresey]

Good evening everyone. I have owned a 4-plex near downtown Denver (Capital Hill) for 12 years now and I can count the number of vacant days I’ve had (not months) in all 12 years on one hand.

But I’ve been working on renting a 1 bedroom through my usual channels (craigslist and Zillow) and I’ve gotten almost zero responses. I know it’s priced right cause I haven’t raised rent from where it was 2 years ago. I’m probably going to use the opportunity to do a light rehab and raise the rent, but it’s strange and I’m a bit worried about doing a rehab if I can’t rent it out.

I rented another unit out a month ago and had a fantastic response with Zillow’s new 1st ad free shenanigan. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced a decline in leads with Zillow’s paid plan?

Also, when I started renting this place out 12 years ago, I was renting to my peers. Now I’m a middle aged father who very clearly is not with the times. Where is everyone else advertising? Facebook marketplace? Tinder? I don’t know...

And lastly, Any thoughts out there on the current state of central Denver small apartment complex stability?

[Jeff White]

@Steven Tawresey I didn't know Zillow was charging for rental listings now.  I just rented one of my rooms in Denver, not in a premium location such as Capitol Hill, but in my opinion, the best sources for rental leads by demand are 

1) Facebook marketplace - with good pictures, you will get overwhelmed with interest and you can hit up certain groups such as Denver Housing and Sub-Letting Group and the general Facebook Marketplace.  Capitol Hill might even have a housing group.  

2) Zillow - still not bad, but not as good as Facebook Marketplace

3) Craiglist - I haven't gotten a good lead off of here in years, and also there are lots of scammers out there.  

Also, I think it is timing as well, not as many people move in October in Denver, so you won't get as many leads as you did a month ago.