Part of your success as a landlord depends on finding great tenants who will be reliable and responsible. Finding these tenants isn’t always easy, so you’ll want to advertise in several different places to give you a large pool of applicants to choose from. Craigslist is commonly used by renters looking for a new place to live, so it’s helpful to understand how this free platform works and how to post to it effectively.
Step-by-Step Posting to Craigslist
- Find your location
First, you’ll want to go to Craigslist. From the main screen, you’ll see a list of metropolitan areas on the right-hand side. Navigate to the area that’s closest to where your property is located to ensure you’re posting your advertisement to the right area. - Choose the type of post you’d like to create
Next, you’ll click on “post to classifieds.” This should be in the upper left-hand corner of your screen. After that, you’ll need to choose the type of ad you’d like to post. Select “housing offered” and then choose the neighborhood where the property is located. - Review the advertising rules
After you’ve selected your post type and the location, you’ll see a link that says, “Get the facts and avoid being persecuted under the Fair Housing Law.” Click on the link to review the guidelines. This information is very important because it will help you avoid breaking any Fair Housing laws within your advertisement. Even if you’re already well-versed on these regulations, it’s still a good idea to review them. A violation of Fair Housing laws is very serious, and violations can cost upward of $15,000. - Complete your advertisement
Once you’ve reviewed the Fair Housing information, you can begin to fill out the details about your rental property, including the price, number of bedrooms, and address of the property. You’ll also need to include an email address where you would like to receive inquiries about the property. After entering this information, you can begin filling out the posting box, where you’ll include all the additional information about your rental. Here are a few things that are helpful to include:
– Number of bathrooms
– Square footage
– Special features, such as a garage or pool
– Any relevant upgrades to the property
– Any other features that may entice a renter - Add photos to your post
Click on “add/edit images” under the description box to add images of the property to your post. Make sure to include clear, bright photos that will appeal to applicants and encourage them to inquire about the property. Once you’ve added these images, press “Continue” to move onto reviewing your ad. - Review and post your ad
Look over your ad before posting to make sure all the information you want to include is there and correct. You’ll then be asked to agree to the terms of service. After you’ve agreed, you’ll be taken to a page where you’ll be asked to create a Craigslist account. Enter your information and be sure to make a note of your username and password so you can access your account later. Now your post will be live and can be viewed by renters.
Posting to Craigslist is relatively easy, but there are a few things you can do to make your posts more effective. Here are a few tips:
- Repost your property
Posting once may not be enough to find that perfect tenant. It’s not uncommon for many landlords to post once and then forget about it. Unfortunately, ads on Craigslist often don’t stay up as long as you’d think. Posts in large cities often expire in seven days. Less populated areas may keep them active for as many as 45 days. You’ll want to monitor your post and make sure to repost it as needed. - Use high-quality photos
Regardless of where you’re advertising your property, it’s important to use high-quality photos. The better your photos are, the more interest you’re likely to gain. Applicants will expect to see photos that present your property in the best light possible. The more applicants can get a feel for the property online, the more they’ll likely be interested in viewing the property in person. This is also likely to give you a larger pool of applicants to choose from. - Play to the best features of the property in the title
When creating the title for your property, it’s recommended that you include the most attractive features in the title. This attracts applicants from the moment they first view your ad. Adding some descriptive words to the title is also a great way to showcase the character of the property and garner more interest. - Bullet-point the information
A large majority of people skim blocks of writing, particularly when reading information online. For this reason, it’s a good idea to make bullet point lists about the property rather than long paragraphs. This allows applicants to read through the information easier and it will be less likely that they’ll miss important details about your property. - Update your ads as needed
Update your ads to reflect the most current information about the property. This shows applicants that you’re attentive to the property, which will make them more likely to apply.
As Craigslist is such a popular place for renters to look for housing, it might be tempting to only post there. However, it’s essential to post advertisements in several locations. Advertising on as many channels as possible will help you bring in more applicants, increasing the odds that you’ll find one who’s a good fit for your property. It can take some trial and error to discover the best platforms for your rental listings, but once you have three or four, you can use them consistently for future advertising.
Selecting the right tenant isn’t just about having a large group of applicants to choose from; it’s also important to make sure that the applicant you choose is has a responsible rental history. Screening potential tenants is the best way to ensure you end up with a tenant who will be reliable and treat your property with respect for the duration of their residence.
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