Getting your property rented isn’t always easy. There are many factors that go into obtaining a good tenant quickly. For instance, our market in St. Petersburg, Florida is very competitive. To catch the attention of a quality tenant you need to get your product in front of them quickly. Also, you want to make sure that your property is easily accessible, rental ready and priced correctly.

Marketing for your tenant – The Internet

There are several methods to attract a tenant to your unit. Some of our favorites are the different internet listing sites. There are 100’s of internet sites such as: Realtor.com, Hot Pads, Rent.com, Zillow, Trulia, Rent My House, Rentlinx and many more. A good property management company will already have a sophisticated listing integration program and will be able to get your rental property viewed by 1000’s of potential renters.

Yard Signs

Yard signs are still a good way to attract quality individuals. For example, Northeast Saint Pete is a very desirable area. As soon as you get the sign in the yard we have usually have instant interest. Many folks looking for a specific area will drive through neighborhoods or have a friend or relative in the area keep an eye out for them

Social Media

In today’s market, social media is a tool used by most everyone. Posting your property to Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc. is an inexpensive and effective way to get in front of a different set of people. While they might not be interested – they may know someone who is.

Being Rental Ready

Quality individuals want a quality product. Make sure your unit is clean and in good repair. Curb appeal is extremely important when trying to get your property rented. There should be no visible deferred maintenance and the property should be free of pests or unwanted critters.

Viewing the Property

Unlike individuals purchasing a property, tenants are generally looking for immediate information and viewing instructions. Open houses or lockboxes are an effective way to give the tenants access immediately. Our office utilizes a 24-hour automated service that gives them details about a property and allows them to register and get an access code to view the property.

Pricing

Our philosophy is never to be the most expensive, but to be priced competitively to attract a quality applicant. In some instances, pricing your property too high will work against you. Many tenants who have a poor credit or rental history will pay more for a property because no-one else wants them, which frequently results in a bad experience for a landlord.

Often owners think finding a tenant is easy because we did it so well, but the reality is we have resources that we have compiled over the last 25 years. If you find yourself with a rental for more than 30 days, you may want to seek the advice of a professional property manager.