Unless you have been completely detached from the modern world over the last 10 years, you have surely noticed that the landscape of rental property marketing has evolved drastically. We are living and conducting business in a digital era, and everything is being done online.
Property management technology has evolved especially quickly in recent years, and this has an impact on how you rent out homes and where you’re likely to be most profitable as a real estate investor.
Years ago, we said goodbye to the days when placing a "For Rent" sign on the lawn was enough to attract tenants. Today, real estate investors must employ innovative strategies to capture the attention of potential renters and stand out in a competitive Phoenix rental market.
It’s time to get creative when it comes to marketing your rental property.
Luckily, we’re a team of very creative Phoenix property managers. We have the resources, the talent, and the market knowledge to ensure your rental property gets as much attention as possible while it’s vacant. We find you a tenant quickly. We make sure it’s a qualified tenant. We also make sure your property is earning as much rent as it should.
All of this starts with effective marketing.
Let’s take a look at some of the most creative marketing strategies that are sure to help you rent your property quickly in our fast-moving, digital age.
Understanding the Digital Landscape
Digital real estate marketing, as you likely know, refers to the online presence of your rental property when you’re looking for a tenant. When we talk about online advertising and creative marketing, we also include digital assets such as photos, descriptions, keywords, and videos. Anything online that’s associated with your rental properties is part of the digital landscape in which you must participate when you want to rent out properties. If you’re partnering with a property manager to lease and manage your properties (which is smart), the management company will have a website. There will be social media platforms. Online listings and virtual tours. By leveraging all of this digital content, you can reach a broader audience and showcase your properties in an engaging and interactive way. | Online Presence is Important
A strong and creative online presence is crucial for effective rental property marketing. Especially now. According to the National Association of Realtors, 97% of homebuyers used the internet to search for homes in 2020. While this statistic primarily pertains to homebuyers, we can tell you that renters are just as likely to use the internet when they’re looking for their next home. This statistic underscores the importance of the digital space in real estate. Renters, like buyers, are increasingly turning to online platforms to find their next home. Prospective tenants are scrolling through hundreds of listings a day. They need a good reason to stop and pay attention. That’s why online presence is important. |
Top Creative Leasing Strategies for Real Estate Investors
We promised creativity, and that’s what we’re going to provide – even when we’re talking about marketing strategies that are both absolutely essential and pretty standard. Even your listing has room for creativity. The places where you share that listing can be more innovative.
So let’s talk about the generally accepted marketing strategies – like online listings, showings, even yard signs, and open houses. We’ll look at ways to make them more creative, more eye-catching with more effective.
How to Make Your Online Listings Stand Out in a Crowded Phoenix Rental Market
With endless listings vying for the attention of Phoenix tenants looking for a new home, how can landlords ensure their properties stand out? Whether you're listing an apartment unit downtown or a suburban home, these are the strategies that, when incorporated into your listing, will help you capture interest and secure quality tenants.
Create an Attention-Grabbing Headline The headline of your rental listing is the first impression potential tenants will have of your property. It should be engaging, informative, and concise. This is what invites them to read more. You’ll want to highlight key features. If your rental property has an outdoor space or a recently renovated kitchen, mention that in the headline when you can. It’s also important to be specific. Instead of saying “Spacious Apartment for Rent,” maybe you say, “Midtown Phoenix 2-Bedroom Apartment Close to Everything.” This provides a lot of information in the headline alone. | Use Your Best Photos A picture is worth a thousand words. You’ve heard that corny idiom, right? Well, it might be overused, but it’s also accurate. High-quality photos can make a difference in attracting potential renters. If you can invest in professional photography, do it. If you are taking your own pictures, focus on lighting and angles. Natural light looks more inviting. Highlight unique features. Include photos of standout details, such as a new tile backsplash in the kitchen or your spacious backyard. Make sure the property is clutter-free and clean before taking photos to project a welcoming environment. |
Write Concise but Detailed Descriptions While brevity is essential in order to hold the attention of your readers, ensure your description provides enough detail to inform and entice prospective tenants. Include all essential information. Mention the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and monthly rent. Also, highlight any recent upgrades or amenities. Avoid exaggerations. Transparency builds trust and reduces the likelihood of wasting time with uninterested parties. We recommend using bullet points or lists. Break up text and highlight key features to improve readability. | Include Video When You Can Video gets a lot more attention online than photos or words. Adding video tours or even clips to your listing can provide potential tenants with a comprehensive view of the space, setting your property apart from others. A video walkthrough allows potential renters to visualize the flow of the property better than photos alone. Ensure the video captures every room, providing context and dimension. Keep it short and sweet. When you’re posting videos with your online ad, aim for a video length of 1 to 3 minutes to maintain interest. |
By implementing these strategies, you can greatly increase the chances of your rental property standing out in a crowded Phoenix rental market. Remember, the goal is to provide a clear, attractive, and honest portrayal of your property to attract the right tenants.
Virtual Tours and 3D Walkthroughs
During the pandemic days of social distancing and remote interactions, in-person showings were out, open houses were unthinkable, and virtual tours became the best and safest way to show rental properties. There are still some very good reasons to do them. With all of the new residents moving into Phoenix from out of state, this is an excellent way to show your property without the prospective tenant being able to show up in person. Make sure you have the capability to walk through an available property online with a tenant.
There are also now 3D walkthroughs, thanks to property management technology. These have become essential tools for showcasing rental properties. Platforms like Matterport and Zillow 3D Home allow you to create immersive experiences that give potential renters a comprehensive view of the property without stepping foot inside.
This is a creative and innovative way to show your property to a larger pool of tenants.
What is the Role of SEO in Rental Property Marketing?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a powerful tool for attracting organic traffic to your listings, and if you have one, your website. Not a lot of landlords are creating websites for the rental homes they have available. But, if you’re renting out a selection of units or a large portfolio of properties, perhaps you’ve invested in a website. If you’re working with a Phoenix property manager, they almost certainly have a website, and they’re going to use SEO in order to increase the traffic your listings receive.
By targeting relevant keywords such as "Phoenix home for rent," "Pet-friendly apartment available in Phoenix" and similar terms, you can improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your listings.
You’re renting homes to people. But, in order to reach those people in the digital rental space, you need to attract the search engines and their algorithms, too. Make sure you are working with a property management company that invests in innovative technology. They need a website that is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and provides a seamless user experience. Your listing should include keywords that will get the attention of people and search platforms.
Leverage Social Media for Rental Property Marketing
Social media platforms are an essential part of any modern marketing program. You can rent out a property by simply using the popular rental sites out there like Zillow, Zumper, HotPads, and RentCafe. But, you’re going to get a lot more attention when you share that listing on social media sites. Using platforms like Instagram and Facebook, you’ll find there are unique opportunities for reaching potential renters.
Some considerations:
Use high-quality images and videos to showcase your properties on these sites. Everything online fees very visual, but this is especially true among the social media crowd, especially on photo-friendly sites like Instagram.
Share virtual tours, inviting people to see your property from their Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Post engaging content that highlights the benefits of renting from you.
Don't forget to use relevant hashtags to increase your visibility.
We know people become activated when we talk about social media. Whether you love it or hate it, it’s a permanent fixture in our lives and an excellent place to introduce innovative marketing strategies for your rental property. You can avoid the political arguments and compete with the cat videos by making a case for your rental home and offering it to others either as a home they might want to rent or a property that they might want to share with their own networks. You cannot discount the power of a like, share, or comment.
That’s another reason that social media marketing is so important for landlords and rental property owners. You’ll get a lot more exposure simply by tapping into the ability of other users to share your listing. People you don’t even know will tag friends who might be looking for a new home.
You can also engage directly with prospective tenants. Answer questions that are left in the comments. Respond to direct messages.
How to Make a Yard Sign Relevant in Digital Marketing
Oh, the yard sign. Once the most popular way to let the world know you had a property for rent, these are now overlooked as most tenants in Phoenix are finding their next home online. That doesn’t mean they’re irrelevant. What if someone is walking or driving through the neighborhood, and they come upon your property? It will help to have that sign out in front. Maybe a neighbor will notice the sign and spread the word. Here’s how to make those yard signs work for you in the digital marketing age.
Include a Scannable QR Code Prospective tenants likely are not walking through the neighborhood with a pen and paper upon which they can write down the contact information found on your For Rent sign. But, they do have their phones. So, why not make it easy for them to access your entire listing just by scanning a QR code? Make it easier for your prospective tenants to find you and all the information they need when they’re out and they see your property. Add QR codes to your sign. All they have to do is scan the code and they’ll have the listing right there in the palm of their hands. | Offer Immediate Showings If you can keep your Phoenix property rent-ready at all times, invite interested tenants to see the place on demand. This will make you hugely competitive and will likely reduce your vacancy and get your property rented quickly. Instead of providing a list of instructions, offer a self-showing right then and there, when a prospective tenant finds themselves standing outside your property and interested. Get them inside with a digital lock and see what happens. |
Partnerships and Networking
No matter how digital the rental marketing space becomes, there’s always going to be a place for partnerships and networks when it comes to renting out homes. You can market your property not only to tenants but to people and organizations who work with tenants. Think about relocation companies, universities, and corporate headquarters.
Relocation companies specialize in helping individuals and families move, often for job-related reasons. They are constantly on the lookout for quality rental properties for their clients. By forming partnerships with these companies, landlords can:
Increase Occupancy Rates Secure consistent tenant placements, reducing vacancy periods. | Access Reliable Tenants for Phoenix Properties Relocation companies often work with corporate clients, ensuring tenants are financially stable and responsible. | Enhance Property and Landlord Reputation Being associated with a reputable relocation company can boost your property's reputation. |
Wondering how to create these relationships with the experts who can help you find tenants who are moving into Phoenix? Here are a few ideas:
Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Industry events are a great way to leverage networking opportunities. Attend conferences related to real estate, relocation services, and property management. These events allow you to meet relocation professionals face-to-face, build relationships, and exchange contact information.
Join Online Forums and Networks
Leverage online platforms where relocation professionals congregate. Websites like LinkedIn and even Reddit as well as specialized forums and Facebook groups offer a space to connect with industry experts. Here, you can engage in discussions, provide valuable insights, and share your experiences to establish credibility and initiate conversations.
Offer Incentives
Attract relocation companies to you and the properties you have for rent by offering exclusive incentives. This could include discounted rent for the first month, flexible lease terms that may speak to the unique needs of relocating clients and even a referral bonus for any successful tenants who are placed in your rental home.
Such incentives not only attract attention but also encourage relocation companies to recommend your property to their clients.
Host Networking Events
Here’s a creative marketing strategy: host a networking event at your property. Invite relocation professionals, local businesses, and other landlords. This event can serve as a platform to showcase your property while fostering connections.
Today’s Open Houses are Virtual
Virtual open houses are an excellent way to showcase your rental properties to a wider audience. Use platforms like Facebook Live, Instagram Live, or Zoom to host live virtual tours where potential renters can ask questions and get a real-time feel for the property. Promote your virtual open houses through your listings, social media, and word of mouth. When interested tenants call about a property, let them know about the virtual open house you have coming up. From there, showings can be scheduled with tenants who want to know more.
In the digital age, creative marketing strategies are essential for real estate investors looking to attract and retain tenants in the competitive Phoenix rental market. We have provided some great starting ideas, but the best strategies for you will depend on your unique property.
Let’s talk about that property. Contact us at Service Star Realty.
Service Star Realty
2929 East Camelback Road #119, Phoenix, AZ 85016
(480) 426-9696
