It’s a common belief that investing in marketing when advertising a property for rent isn’t important or even necessary. Many believe it’s just a matter of putting the information out there and tenants will come regardless – the property either suits their needs or it doesn’t, right??

Wrong. Let me explain.

Yes tenants are looking for certain features, in a certain price range, in a certain area. But there are specific things a good property manager can do to ensure you attract the right kind of tenants and minimise vacancy time.

Taking care of these important factors will be the make or break of your investment.

Your marketing can make all the difference in finding excellent tenants you want to keep forever!

In this blog I’ll explain why marketing matters – a lot! and how to make sure you tick all the boxes towards obtaining a hassle-free tenancy.

I’m constantly telling my landlords how important marketing quality is when finding tenants for a property. It’s probably the thing we discuss the most in our initial meeting.

The reason?

If you want to attract quality tenants, you need to produce quality marketing.

It’s that simple.

If you’re advertising is less than desirable, your tenants will be too.

For this reason, I’m big on producing quality marketing for my properties.

I’ve seen first hand over many years in the industry how making the effort to invest in better-looking ads to more effectively showcase a property, directly affects a) the kind of tenants who apply, b) the number of applications received and c) the length of time between leases. This all contributes to a tenancy with fewer problems.

So What Areas Should You Focus On When Advertising A Property For Rent?

• Professional photography

• Online listing type

• Focal points

• Choice in Property Manager (this should be #1)

Professional Photography

A professional can not only produce better quality images but also

1. use a wide lens to capture the whole room and not just a corner of it

2. use colour correction to produce better lighting and enhance visuals

3. knows which areas of the home to focus on to best showcase its benefits i.e a toilet does not need to be featured on a listing. Ever.

4. Effectively grab the attention of scrollers to create genuine interest in your listing.

If this image is not showing properly on your phone, turn the phone to landscape. (Images used in a listing found on realestate.com.au by another North Lakes property management agency.)

In the above photos note the toilet, rubbish in the bin, toothpaste and toothbrush left out after use, agent in the mirror, dark colours and unappealing backyard. These are not doing the property and landlord justice.

If this image is not showing properly on your phone, turn the phone to landscape. Images used in a North Lakes listing found on realestate.com.au by Aura Rental Management.

In contrast, these professional photos include the use of a wide lens, colour correction, feature the right areas of the home and give an overall appealing appearance.

Would you be interested in a property with dark, crooked photos, overgrown yards, photos of mess? Neither do quality prospective tenants and that’s who you should be targeting.

Online Listing Type

Online property platforms like realestate.com.au and domain.com offer different types of listings with varying levels of attraction and exposure.

It’s recommended to get a Premium Listing to attract more attention more quickly and to give the right impression of your property as well as the landlord and agency behind it. – You’ll need to ask your Property Manager if they have a subscription to use Premium Listings.

Good tenants are also looking for good landlords.

Attractive property listings build credibility for you as a landlord and the management team they’ll be dealing with.

Focal Points

When writing content to advertise a property, a really good property manager will know how to effectively focus on the main selling points of the home.

If it has a big yard for example, this can be a point they use to grab attention. Or if it has been recently renovated, has a granny flat, a pool or anything else that can engage browsers.

Simply listing its features without mentioning the benefits of these and not focusing on something that will set it apart from others, is not enough to leave a lasting impression.

Choice in Property Manager

A good property manager cares about how your property is presented at all times.

When choosing a manager, be sure to ask specific questions about how they a) view the importance of how a property is marketed, and b) the process they take to do it.

You can also take a look at the current listings on realestate.com.au and domain.com to see the kind of listings the agency advertises. Pay particular attention to;

• the photos they use – these should not be photos taken from a routine inspection (like the example above)

• if they draw attention to special features of the home, and

• whether they have used a premium listing.

Also check out their social media to see if they are making use of these effective mediums to best help their clients. Tip: The number of likes is not as important as the way they engage their audience and present their properties.

In summary, investing in professional photography, an agent with access to premium listings on advertising platforms and someone who genuinely cares about how your property is presented will all result in a good quality tenant.

If you get it right from the start and secure a star tenant, your financial risks are minimised and you’re in for a hassle-free tenancy.

Still overwhelmed? Contact me now and I’ll take care of it all for you.

I look after properties in most areas of North Brisbane focusing on North Lakes, Mango Hill & Surrounds.

Already have a Property Manager? That’s ok, it’s easy to switch and I can take care of that for you too.

Call or message me for a chat.

Rachel Butterworth.