Do you post your listings on Facebook?

Question

I posted our first property for rent on Facebook marketplace and have received over 35 Facebook messages inquiring about availability and showings. I used Rentometer and Zillow’s rent estimate to determine my rent, but now I’m thinking it is way too low. So, should I remove the listing and repost at a higher price, or is it normal to have this many inquiries normal and the majority will flake out?

Nathan Gesner · Answer

It doesn't mean your rent is too low. Private Landlords tend to get a lot more inquiries because bad tenants think there won't be a screening process and they can sneak in. Or maybe they think you'll be a pushover and negotiable on the price.

Your advertising should be clear about your most basic qualifications. This will allow potential renters to self-eliminate. For example, just mentioning you will run a credit/criminal background on every person 18 or older will stop about 1/3 - 1/2 of all inquiries. I would keep it pretty basic to your top 3-5 requirements:

• Must make 3x the rent
• Credit score of at least 620 for each applicant
• No animals allowed

Anyone with a criminal record or a 550 credit score will (usually) move on to the next rental. This will dramatically reduce the number of inquiries.

I would take the ad down for a day or two, beef it up, and then try again.

John Underwood · Answer

I absoulutely use FB marketplace to post vacancies.

I had 40 people inquire abut property, about 7 show up to the open house and 5 applications.

Many of those people are tire kickers and just click on the "Is this still available" button.

Daniel Haberkost · Answer

@Elijah White I use FB marketplace to advertise and have the same response. I just copy and paste the same response (outlining that I’ll do a background check, call their previous landlords, verify their income) to everyone who inquires so I don’t waste my time.

I’ve gotten several good tenants using it.

Steve Vaughan · Answer

I like to ask questions towards the bottom of the posting for them to answer in their reply or message.  It will stand out big time when someone actually read it and complied vs asked if it's available.  Night and day.

I at least ask how many people, how many animals, does anyone smoke and how soon are you seeking something.  Nothing like the perfect applicant that needs to wait 4 months and has 3 animals.  Find out early in the convo.

Eliott Elias · Answer

Facebook is the home of unqualified buyers and renters. It's not uncommon

Polina Orlova · Answer

Facebook Marketplace is banning me for posting a simple ad. Are there some rules to follow when posting a rental ad on Facebook Marketplace?

Elijah White · Answer

Thank you all for your help! I realize I should have had more of our qualification standards in the post. I ended up just doing a copy and paste response with our basic qualification standards; we will see how much that helps.

Do you post your listings on Facebook?

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