All Forum Posts by: Amir B.

Amir

Several months is way too long. Where (zip code) is your property located? What is the condition? How are you marketing? 

bob

I just want to add- your post says stainless steel appliances- but the appliances are black.

@Amir B.

Mine get taken within 48 hours after listing them on Zillow rental manager. Maybe your price is too high? I don’t know that area, but I would definitely lower the price if you’re not getting it rented out within a week or so. And list it on Zillow rental manager if you’re not already. That’s were people are looking. They also list it on trulia and hotpads for free. Your first listing is free then $10 week for your next property. People complain about having to spend $10 to list it, but I get many inquiries and applications on Zillow within a day or two. I get most of mine taken within 24 hours.

and you still kept the fence picture as one of the first ones... at least pull that fence back up and secure it with some wire so it can last until the people move in...

OK

huge contrast of exterior vs interior. make sure the tenants that do get the place do not bridge the gap between the two.

no appliances is another big one like someone else said. HD and lowes are hurting for business right now, so go and find a cheap combo to slap in there on some 0% financing.

We have brand new applicances inside already and waiting on the pictures to post. 

no idea if the rent is even in the right ballpark, but it does appear a bit on the high end for the place (again, judging by exterior).

I see the 17 interior pics. The interior looks pretty good!
Laminate counter tops. Fresh coats of paint. Overall clean look.

But definitely I see why it isn't getting any potentials.

1) No utilities. This is the biggest reason. You're basically telling the renter:
"ok, rent is $1350 with a $1350 security deposit and application fee and...you need to buy yourself a washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove.". 
When they leave, they'll have to take all these appliances. No one will sign up for that no matter what neighborhood you're in. 
Out of any other updates, getting those 4 major appliances should be your top priority. Consider placing in a microwave as well.

OK, on utilities. We do have brand new applicances and waiting on leasing agent to add the pics. 

2) Its actual layout. Five bedrooms, one bathroom...and its 1572 SQFT. Those are some relatively very small rooms. I assume the attic was converted to one or more bedroom. While, 5 bedrooms may have believed to up the property value, you're inviting a family of 4-5 to live in a home with just one bathroom. There is nothing you can do about it unless you change the top back to an attic.

Yes, it is a strange layout. It was a 3/1 and the previous investor added two bedrooms. 

3) The exterior is not bad. The backyard is fine. Fence is the neighbor's so nothing you can do there except planting bigger bushes or maiden grass to help cover it but it's not necessary. Now for the front. Pull out the weeds, mulch and retake the pic with less shadows. It would require a flight out there for 3-4 days. While expensive, consider resurfacing the driveway. It's making the house look way worse than it is and It would be 100% worth the cost. 

The driveway is something I will do once the tenant moves in. i got a couple of quotes when we were in escrow. 

4) Its near Lee and Miles so recheck the comps as $1350 sounds pretty high for that area. While those areas are mostly bungalows, Cleveland is the land of giants. A renter can get a 4 br with bigger rooms for cheaper in a similar neighborhood.
If you dropped it to $1299, you may get someone. Raise the rent a bit next year due to tax, insurance, etc. and you'll get back up to your original $1350 mark. 

Ok, we will look into the rent drop. 
If you do 1-3 first, you MAY be able to keep the rent the same.

It doesn't matter if people are renting or buying, they are looking for a HOME! And frankly this does not look like I want to live there. 

Improve the condition, get professional pictures taken and you may also have to at least provide a stove and a fridge! Ask your wife/siter/mother if they would want to move in and if not what would have to chnage efore they would consider it. Realtor.com is also not the right plattform. 

We advertise on Zillow and typically have 100+ inquiries in a few days. Anything that is on the market for more than a couple weeks looks suspicious and people will start to wonder what's wrong with it. 

How many of the BR are attic BR? 2  

Are you planning on adding dish washer and refrigerator?  If so, add them and take new pictures. Refrigerator is added. No dishwasher. Will do. 

Is it common to have 5 BR with only one bathroom.  That alone would get me to look elsewhere.  I have a single 3/1 and I find that to be too few bathrooms (all my other units have no worse than a 2 to 1 ratio). It was a 3/1 but the previous investor added two bedrooms. 

Did you use a designer for the kitchen?  Where the cabinets remaining stock/clearance? I didn't do anything to the home expect add applicances and landscape. 

I recognize the market is a lower rent market, but the unit looks like it was rehabbed for a lower rent market.

It looks like you reduced the rent $100/month ($55 the $45).  It has been 2 weeks since your last rent decrease.  What has been the interest?  How many viewings have you had?  How many have asked for applications?  I find about 1 out of 3 who ask for an application actually submit the application.  If there is no interest at your current price, you will need to further reduce the price.

Good luck 

Looks rough on the outside and no interior pics? People will pass on it, either upgrade the outside and of course show the inside. If it's rough inside how do you expect people live inside the house and if you find a tenant they will probably be a headache tenant. Sorry to be brutal, but I have been a landlord for 45 years and always made the rental nice enough that I could live there.

@Amir B.

Definitely add interior pictures. Tenants assume it is a scam if there are no interior photos. You can use the ones from the listing if you can’t take new ones.

Also, show or indicate the floorplan. A tenant would want to know if 2-3 of the bedrooms were really in the basement. Good luck!