Lately competition is fierce for finding tenants and vacancy can be costly. Our focus is attracting and securing high quality tenants quickly. In rentals every part of the process matters, in this blog we take a look at the first part – Attracting Tenants.
The quality of real estate marketing in our area here on the Northern Beaches is generally very high and each year further improvements are made. Right now here is what is involved in attracting tenants to your rental property.
Professional Real Estate Photography
Using the right lighting and the right lens needs a professional. Photos will be enhanced (a great view of a blue sky is more attractive than a grey sky) and clutter can be digitally removed from a photo for just a few dollars.
Virtual Styling
Everyone appreciates a furnished room and for as little as $40 per room instant styling can be achieved. During the ‘Attraction’ stage of renting a property our experience is that styled photos are always more likely to lead to the property making it to a tenant’s ‘shortlist to inspect’.
Floorplan
This is critical for tenants when working out if their furniture will fit into the property and will save time for everyone on wasted visits by allowing us to focus on the self-qualified tenant. Interestingly, research from realestate.com.au suggested that the floorplan is the most clicked area (after the hero photo) for tenants searching for their next home.
3D Virtual Tour
These really came into their own during the Covid-19 restrictions, as we can start ‘showing’ the property from the moment a tenant gives notice. At Rightside these are not a prohibitive cost for landlords as we are now including these for our rental properties free of charge. Explore a virtual tour here – this one is complete with virtual furniture.
Signboards
These still work. The referrals from the signboard often comes from neighbours who have friends or family looking to move into the area.
Social Media
We list all our rental properties on Google, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and in specialist Facebook groups targeting tenants in the Northern Beaches. This social media presence has a very similar to the effect of the signboards, in that often friends or family are referred to us.
Viewings and Appointments
We use advanced software that allows tenants to inspect properties at open homes or by appointment, receive updates and send in application forms. We also invite prospective tenants who have previously looked at similar properties.
All these elements work together to make sure we ensure your property is as attractive as possible to prospective tenants. Remember, this will be wasted if the asking rent is too high. In my opinion, it is better to ask for a fair rent upfront and quickly attract multiple applications from acceptable tenants.
If you need help finding your next tenant – don’t hesitate to reach out as we would be delighted to help!
