A rental listing should give prospective renters an accurate, current picture of your property. But as rent, availability, amenities, and the property itself change, the listing you originally published may no longer tell the whole story.
Even a well-written rental listing may need occasional adjustments as your property, listing details, or renter interest changes. Here are seven signs your rental listing could use another look.
1. The Monthly Rent Has Changed
If you change the asking rent, your rental listing should reflect the new amount. Accurate pricing helps prospective renters determine whether your property fits their budget before they inquire or apply.
While discovering a lower rent may be a welcome surprise, learning that the actual rent is higher than the advertised amount could cause prospective renters to question the accuracy of other information in the listing.
When you update the rent, check the entire listing to make sure an old price isn't still mentioned in the property description or elsewhere.
If you're thinking about changing the rent price because your listing isn't generating enough interest, research comparable rentals first. Consider location, property type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, amenities, condition, and other factors that may influence what renters are willing to pay.
2. Your Availability Date Is Outdated
Move-in timing can be an important factor for renters, so your advertised availability should be current. If the expected move-in date changes, update your listing promptly. Check your property description for any references to the previous date, too.
Once you've found a renter and the property is no longer available, deactivate or remove the listing as appropriate. This can help prevent unnecessary inquiries about a rental that has already been leased.
3. You’ve Made Improvements to the Property
Property improvements present a great opportunity to highlight new features in your rental listing. For example, you may want to update your listing after:
- Installing new appliances
- Replacing flooring
- Renovating the kitchen or bathroom
- Adding an in-unit laundry
- Improving outdoor space, such as adding fencing
- Adding shelving or storage closets
- Updating fixtures or finishes
Focus on improvements prospective renters can expect to find when they move in. If the changes are visible, consider updating your photos along with the property description.
4. Your Rental Photos Are Outdated
Photos are one of the primary ways prospective renters evaluate a property online. The images should accurately represent the rental's current appearance and condition.
Consider replacing your photos if you've made significant improvements or your existing images no longer represent the property. You may also benefit from retaking photos if the current images are dark, blurry, cluttered, or don't clearly show the layout.
Before taking new property photos, clean and prepare the rental and take advantage of natural light when possible. Include the major rooms and any notable features or outdoor spaces.
5. Your Amenities, Fees, or Policies Have Changed
Changes that affect what renters can expect from the property are a clear sign that your listing deserves another look. Perhaps you've added an amenity, changed a pet or parking policy, or adjusted a fee since the listing was originally published.
Updating these details helps ensure prospective renters are evaluating the property based on what is currently being offered. It can also prevent confusion later if the information a renter saw in the listing differs from what they learn when they inquire or apply.
6. You're Getting Views but Few Inquiries
Your property may be getting attention online without generating the number of leads you expected. That's a good reason to review your listing.
Start by looking at the property from a prospective renter's perspective and ask:
- Does the rent compare reasonably with similar rentals?
- Do the photos clearly show the property?
- Does the description highlight useful features?
- Are important costs and policies easy to understand?
- Is the availability information accurate?
- Are there unanswered questions that could be addressed in the listing?
Before making major changes to your listing or adjusting the rent, look for specific areas where the listing could be more accurate, informative, or useful to prospective renters. You can also compare your property with similar rentals in your area to see how your listing stacks up.
7. You're Preparing to Relist Your Property
An old rental listing can provide a useful starting point for your next leasing cycle. Before republishing it, take a moment to review the details and make any necessary updates.
This is also a good opportunity to replace outdated photos and add improvements you've made since the property was last advertised.
Think about questions prospective renters asked during the previous leasing cycle, too. If you repeatedly answered the same question, adding that information to the listing could make it more helpful this time around.
What Else Should You Check Before Updating a Rental Listing?
Before publishing your changes, read through the entire listing once. Updating one section can sometimes leave conflicting information somewhere else. For example, you might update your pet policy in one part of the listing while older language about pet restrictions remains in the property description.
Additionally, rental advertising should also comply with applicable fair housing laws and other federal, local and state requirements. Review your listing’s content carefully and avoid statements that express preferences or limitations related to characteristics protected by fair housing law.
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