There are good tenants who pay their rent on time and never cause any problems. Then, there are bad tenants who create tons of stress for landlords and can even end up costing them money. Often, bad tenants like these make late payments or refuse to pay rent at all, are disruptive to neighbors and end up damaging property. Even miniscule breaks, like window shades, can be frustrating, but, luckily, Factory Direct Blinds offers inexpensive options, so you can order new ones affordably! Any landlord or property owner who has had to search for a tenant for their rental property knows how difficult it is to find a good one and keep them for a long time. It’s easier said than done, that’s for sure.
There are plenty of unreliable tenants out there and it’s not always easy to weed them out, so it’s up to you to attract quality tenants. Obviously, the best way to do this is for your rental property to be available in a great location at an ideal price point. Unfortunately, you won’t always have control over the location and price of your property, but there are still some things you can do to make your rental property stand out to reliable tenants and persuade them to stay. Here are five ways to ensure you attract quality tenants:
Page Contents
1. Determine your ideal tenant
Before listing your rental property, make sure that you have some idea of the kind of tenant you are looking for. For example, the ideal tenant for you might have stable employment and a reliable income, always pays rent in a timely manner and doesn’t have a history of being evicted. You may also want to include special considerations, such as no smoking or no pets. Whatever your specific requirements may be, get a clear idea of what you are looking for before you post your listing or start interviewing tenants, as this will help you narrow down your target market before listing your property.
2. Write a convincing listing
If you really want to persuade potential tenants to view your property, it’s important that you write a compelling listing to draw them in. Your listing should be descriptive and informative, but not so long that you’ll lose the attention of a potential tenant. Include a clever hook in the headline to grab their attention, watch out for spelling and grammar mistakes and make it easy for potential renters to contact you with any questions.
3. Offer amenities and add-ons
Another great way to attract tenants to your rental listings is by offering add-ons and amenities. This can also help increase the value of your property. Some landlords offer fully-furnished properties, while others offer nothing extra. Most landlords, however, choose to include basic appliances: washer and dryer, a refrigerator and a dishwasher unit. If you really want to pique the interest of potential tenants, consider repainting your walls or installing window treatments. A fresh coat of paint will make your property look and feel brand new. And, as for those old and tattered blinds you have hanging up, throw them away and invest in new blinds or shades for your rental.
4. Use professional photography
You have your listing written out and ready to go, but no property listing is really complete without high-quality photography. According to a study, landlords are more likely to capture the attention of potential tenants when their listings include pictures of the property. A good tenant looking for a new home isn’t going to be impressed by grainy pictures of your rental taken with your mobile phone’s camera. In the same vein, a good tenant won’t be interested in a place that looks ugly and unkempt either. Before listing your property, take some time to thoroughly clean it and make any necessary repairs. Then, hire a professional photographer to take pictures of your property. If you can, look for a photographer who has experience in real estate photography specifically, as they will have an eye for what tenants are looking for. Another benefit of hiring a professional photographer is the potential for a higher rental price. Research shows that high-quality photos can help significantly increase the perceived value of a property.
5. Perform regular maintenance
Nothing is more frustrating for a tenant than when his or her landlord takes their time on repairs and maintenance. Before even listing the property, you should repair everything that needs to be fixed so that your new tenants don’t have to worry about anything else but moving in. Additionally, making repairs and performing maintenance ahead of time can prevent the chance of issues popping up in the future, saving you time and money. Be sure to mention in your listing that you will be happy to make regular visits to perform any maintenance that is needed and, if something does break, guarantee that you will respond quickly and try to fix the problem as soon as possible. If you can’t make repairs yourself, it’s a good idea to have workers you can contact when something needs to be fixed quickly.
Finding the perfect tenant for your rental property can be a time-consuming process, but trust us when we say it is well worth the time and effort. Be mindful of the kind of tenant you are looking for and take the time to turn your property into an ideal home for renters by making updates, repairs and even small finishing touches, like adding new paint and installing window coverings. Do this, and you’re guaranteed to reap the benefits and find the perfect tenant for you.