Marketing a Santa Rosa rental home requires more strategy than a simple For Rent sign in front of the property. While that type of advertising can be effective, especially if your property is in a well-trafficked area, you will get better results when you focus your attention online. Most tenants are looking for their next rental home by scrolling through listings on popular rental sites like Zumper and Zillow.
Here are some of the best ways to market your rental home.
Prepare an Attractive Santa Rosa Rental
A well-maintained home is an important part of your marketing strategy. You want to show tenants that you take good care of your investment, and you also want them to feel like you’ll be quick to respond if there’s an emergency or a maintenance issue.
Conduct a thorough inspection before your marketing process begins. Take care of any minor repairs as well as major projects. If you’re showing the property and a prospective tenant flips on a light switch but the lights don’t turn on – you’re creating a bad impression.
In addition to maintenance and cleaning, you should consider making some cost-effective upgrades.
There’s no need to remodel the entire unit, but consider some updates that may make a difference during the marketing process. New window treatments and lighting, for example, can really grab a tenant’s attention. Fresh paint is always important, and check the condition of your floors. Instead of steam cleaning the same old carpet every year, replace it. Hard surface flooring will be a huge selling point when you’re marketing to Santa Rosa’s tenant pool.
Marketing a Santa Rosa Rental with Great Photos
Your photographs are going to play a huge role in the marketing of your home. They’re the first things any potential resident looks at when they come across your listing online. Grab and keep their attention with good pictures that are clear and engaging.
Make sure the property is photo-ready. Remove any debris, personal items, or cleaning materials before you take those photos. The pictures should show a clean, well-lit home with a lot of curb appeal. Include photos of the kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, and any outdoor space. Don’t forget special features like garden tubs or stainless appliances.
Write an Accurate and Concise Description
A well-marketed rental home listing will include a detailed description along with those fantastic photos. Keep your description short. You don’t want to have long paragraphs that people just won’t read. But, you want to include all the important details. A good listing will mention:
- Square footage
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Rental price and security deposit requirements
- Whether pets are allowed
- General location and neighborhood
- Contact information
- Basic rental requirements
Make sure you’re not violating any fair housing laws with the terminology you choose for your listing.
Online Marketing Requires Responsiveness
Your listing will get the most attention on the popular rental websites that highly qualified tenants are using. Platforms like Zillow, Trulia, HotPads, Zumper, RentCafe, and Rentals.com are your best online spaces.
Pay attention to your listing and respond to any inquiries you receive. We’re always surprised at how many landlords and even Santa Rosa property managers will ignore and avoid phone calls and messages asking for more information. You’ll find the best tenants and avoid longer vacancies when you’re responsive.
These are just a few of the things you’ll need to pay attention to when you’re marketing your rental property to the best tenants in Santa Rosa. If you need some help, please contact us at Prestige Real Estate & Property Management. We manage homes in Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, Sebastopol, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park.
