How to Write A Good Property Listing

Creating a proper rental listing is key to finding a great tenant quickly. You want the listing to advertise for amenities renters are looking for. The listing should draw the eye in other ways as well, including having an eye-catchy headline, high-quality photos, and an engaging property description.

In this blog, we’ll go over 8 tips to help you write a good property listing for a successful marketing campaign.

1. Hook the Reader with an Interesting Headline

The headline is the first thing that the tenant will see. The way you write it will make them either stop and read or continue scrolling to other listings.

You’ll want to mention certain important things in the headline to attract attention. Including the property’s location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a stand-out feature.

The following are a few examples to get you started.

• Charming 2 Bedroom Townhome with Garden and Fireplace in Chicago for $2,500
• Pet-Friendly Studio Apartment in the Heart of Downtown Los Angeles for $1,400
•  $2,200 3 Bedroom House in San Francisco with a Yard and Parking

These headlines are not only detailed, but are also clear, concise, and informative. They give prospective tenants the most important information to enable them to decide whether to read more.

When writing the headline, you’ll want to be mindful of a few things.

• Avoid exaggerations
• Limit your words
• Do not use all capital letters

2. Write a Proper Property Description.

This is another important part of a rental listing. A property description where you’ll want to give a summary of the property to help the potential tenant make the right decision.

The following are some tips to help you write a detailed yet concise property description and avoid rental property marketing mistakes.

• Be precise by avoiding the use of vague words, such as fantastic or amazing
• Use the right adjectives to help generate interest in the property market. Examples of such adjectives include: updated, high-quality, original, granite, stellar, and well-maintained.
• Be specific. Instead of saying that the property has a large kitchen, say that it has a granite countertop, stainless steel appliances, and a breakfast nook.
• Use the right keywords to help with search engine ranking. People often use keywords when searching for rentals online, so make sure to include the right words in your listing.
• Be honest about flaws. Allow prospective tenants to have realistic expectations.

3. Highlight Stand-Out Features.

These are the features that make your property stand out from the competition. Examples include:

• Location: A property located in a desirable neighborhood will always be more sought after than one in another area.
• Size: A larger property will be more appealing to families, while a smaller one may be attractive to single people or couples.
• Amenities: A property with quality amenities, such as a gym, pool, or laundry in the unit will be more appealing than one without.

• Security Features: Renters looking for a safe and secure place to live will look for a rental with security features.
• Updated Appliances: If you rent your property furnished, new appliances will make a big difference in the look and feel of a property, especially for tenants who do not want to buy new appliances.

4. Use Simple Language and Be Brief

The last thing a prospective tenant wants is to get bogged down by an overwhelming amount of text. Depending on the listing service or MLS you use, there may also be a word limit. Try your best to keep your listing under 200 words.

Make sure to let prospective tenants know of only the most important things about the property. Including, the price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, unique information such as scenic views and proximity to major highways, and the neighborhood.

5. Avoid the Use of Negative Language

Mentioning flaws in your rental ad will only drive away any interest prospective tenants might have had in your property. Whether the property is new construction or an old Victorian home, make sure to be positive and persuasive.

Instead of saying that your property has a small kitchen, say that it’s efficient. You can also market a small bedroom as a potential home office or a playroom.

Keep your property listing upbeat and look for opportunities that help you make a compelling pitch.

6. Proofread the Ad

Don’t publish the ad without proofreading it. Not only do you want to check for spelling and grammar errors, but the following are some common areas that are often overlooked:

•  Failing to include enough information that might be of interest to prospective tenants
• Writing a boring or uninformative ad that fails to capture a prospective tenant’s attention
• Overpricing your rental
• Using discriminatory language that goes against The Fair Housing Act

7. Distribute the Ad as Extensively as Possible

To reach as many prospective tenants as possible, you’ll want to have an extensive marketing campaign, especially if you’re a long distance landlord. Use both new and traditional avenues. Including, for rent signs, local classifieds, community bulletin boards, social media, and rental listing sites.

You may also want to boost the promotions to speed things up. This is especially critical in competitive markets.

8. Hire a Reputable Property Management Company

Marketing a vacant rental property can prove to be challenging for some. Between creating a rental listing, distributing it, and showing the property, a lot can go wrong. This is especially true for first-time landlords.

Luckily for you, you can hire a reputable property manager to leverage their professional experience. A good manager will have drafted dozens of listings and will know what exactly to do to attract the right tenant quickly.

Conclusion

Writing good property listings is a recipe for running a profitable rental investment business. They help attract the right tenant in the shortest time possible. For expert help in writing a property listing or the overall management of your rental property, look no further than Halcyon Real Estate Services.

We provide top-notch property management services in Poway and the surrounding areas. Get in touch to learn more!