Competing for the attention from prospective tenants is very high nowadays, it depends on the neighbourhood where your property is located, and if you’re listing during peak seasons. If lots of people are viewing the property but not completing an application that can mean that the property doesn’t show well, it is overpriced, or that you’re marketing to the wrong people.

Obviously having your ads in the right place with the right message is fundamental to your success, so check the category where you’re placing your ad, if it’s a condo, or suite in the house, or maybe just a guest bedroom in an apartment. That information is very important, and it will help tenants to find the desired property faster and less complicated. ad

A potential tenant spends on average only a few seconds looking at the listing before deciding to look it through more carefully or move on to the next one.

When making a decision that quickly, the only things that matter are: 1) the photos; 2) the catchy headline; 3) the short and clear description. These are the three factors that make your listing competitive in attracting tenants.

I put the photos in the first place because that is the first what your eye stops on. The first rule is: to always include photos or several of them. Bright high-quality photo from the right angle and good perspective is half of the ad. Obviously, everybody wants to live in an airy sun-filled apartment/house with modern furniture and design, that is what your photos need to show. Include photos of all the major rooms.  Also, there should be special features of the unit such as a balcony or terrace, washer and dryer, great views or expensive appliances. If it’s possible – take professional photos. Everything that was described higher can provide the attention of a tenant even without reading the ad.

You can clearly see the difference between the photo on the left and the photo on the right. That difference can influence the success of your business. The right lighting and the angle that highlights all of the best features of the apartment can increase the number of appliances several times.

Even if your apartment has obvious weaknesses your successful photos can hide them, and show your property in the best way possible. For example, there was one unit with a very unusual layout. There were rooms shaped almost as the triangle in plan. Take a look at the angle of the walls is sharp.

For some people, it can seem very uncomfortable, and agents were worried, they couldn’t get this condo rented. But the great photos and catchy headlines did their job. The condo was successfully rented out.

The headline is a valuable component too.  If the headline doesn’t show your prospective tenant what they’re immediately looking for, the rest of your listing is simply a waste of time – no matter how well it was written. Conveying important information like rent, whether it includes utilities, the size and the location of the suite are part of the process, but helping someone figure out if it’s right for them, helping them visualize themselves living there and getting them excited about this rare opportunity is part of it.

A tenant is looking for a specific number of bedrooms, bathrooms, price range and location. Those are the things we’ll want to put in our headline. In addition, we should include one feature of the apartment that is unique or enticing.

The description of the property has to be very specific to get rented soon.

Know who you are targeting with your rental ad. Write to that person and help them picture what life will be like when they live on your property. Know what their needs, pains, wants and problems are and let them know how this home will address many of those issues.

Mention all of the features of the property such as close location to the universities or transport for students, quiet neighbourhood with schools and grocery stores – for families with children, etc.

There’s a lot more to renting out your property than just a great ad, but this is the first step to a successful business.