Are your rental listings collecting more dust than inquiries? You’re not alone—and there are solutions.
Finding the right tenant can be one of the most frustrating challenges for independent landlords. If you’re stuck, it’s time to step back and ask: what’s holding renters back from saying “yes”?
Here’s what we recommend:
🔎 Reevaluate Your Listing Is it clear, compelling, and up-to-date? Ensure photos are bright and professional-looking, and that your description highlights the home’s best features. Tenants are drawn to amenities like in-unit washer/dryer, dishwasher, air conditioning, balcony or outdoor space, designated parking, and pet-friendly policies. Mention if it’s a top-floor unit, corner apartment, or has great natural light—those details make a big difference. And don’t underestimate the power of a solid location: proximity to public transit, schools, shopping, parks, or major employers can be a major draw. Present your property as the place they’ll want to call home.
💰 Check Your Price Point If you’re overpriced—even slightly—you might be deterring great renters. Compare with similar properties in your neighborhood and consider if a modest adjustment could make all the difference. Services like RentCast can help you analyze local rental trends, estimate what you should be charging, and see how your listing stacks up against others nearby. Accurate pricing isn’t just smart—it’s strategic.
📍 Be Everywhere Renters Are Don’t rely on just one site. Use a property management software that can syndicate your listing across multiple rental platforms to boost visibility. Our chosen tool is TurboTenant, a full-featured software that streamlines listing syndication, tenant screening, rent collection, lease management, and more. It gives you access to dozens of listing sites with one post. We also recommend listing on the Zillow family of sites because of their broad reach and high traffic. While Zillow is great for exposure, we prefer TurboTenant for the actual property management because it offers far more comprehensive features for independent landlords.
📆 Speed Matters Respond quickly to inquiries, offer flexible showing times, and make the application process smooth and digital if possible. Renters have options—they won’t wait around.
🛠️ Spruce It Up Even minor upgrades or a fresh coat of paint can make your place stand out. Think: curb appeal, cleanliness, and comfort.
👂 Listen to Feedback What are prospective tenants saying after a viewing? Their questions and hesitations can be gold for pinpointing issues. If you’re showing the property in person, take a moment to ask them directly: “How does this place compare to others you’ve seen?” or “Is there anything that’s making you hesitate?” You’ll be surprised how much insight you’ll gain just by opening the door to honest conversation.
🐾 Consider Accepting Pets Pet-friendly rentals are in high demand—and by welcoming responsible pet owners, you can tap into a larger pool of applicants. Not only could this speed up your leasing process, but many landlords find they can charge a higher rent, pet deposits, or monthly pet fees. Pet owners tend to stay longer because it’s harder to find housing that accommodates their furry friends, which means fewer turnover costs for you. Of course, it’s smart to set clear policies, such as breed or size restrictions, and require renters insurance to protect your property.
We’d love to hear your ideas, questions, or challenges—just reply below and let us know what’s on your mind. And if you’re looking to deepen your knowledge, we offer a comprehensive Landlording A–Z course along with personalized one-on-one coaching to guide you through every step of the rental process.
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