Are you a real estate agent or landlord wondering how you can show off and rent out your properties in a global pandemic? The deadly Coronavirus is affecting every single facet of the industry, and no one has been spared from the economic sting, least of real estate agents and landlords. In the state of Pennsylvania, for example, the industry was shut down completely, preventing showings and new listings from going on the market. Even as some states have begun to ease up, many in the real-estate industry are beginning to take the services online more often in the name of being safe. While the shutdown may or not be long-term, many real estate agents and landlords are finding new ways to do business.
In a previous post that we published, we discussed “How to Promote Your Rental Vacancy Online,” a subject that is becoming more important than ever, especially in the era of COVID-19. More businesses, including real estate companies, are going online, and it’s becoming more important than ever to create a robust digital impression.
Are you a real estate agent or landlord wondering how you can show off and rent out your properties in a global pandemic? The deadly Coronavirus is affecting every single facet of the industry, and no one has been spared from the economic sting, least of real estate agents and landlords. In the state of Pennsylvania, for example, the industry was shut down completely, preventing showings and new listings from going on the market. Even as some states have begun to ease up, many in the real-estate industry are beginning to take the services online more often in the name of being safe. While the shutdown may or not be long-term, many real estate agents and landlords are finding new ways to do business.
In a previous post that we published, we discussed “How to Promote Your Rental Vacancy Online,” a subject that is becoming more important than ever, especially in the era of COVID-19. More businesses, including real estate companies, are going online, and it’s becoming more important than ever to create a robust digital impression.
You may have heard the old adage, “You never get a second chance at creating a good first impression.” Fortunately, we are here to discuss how to do that online to expand your digital presence and improve your marketing strategies online. Public events like showings, open houses, and other in-person activities are becoming far less commonplace. Digital marketing is becoming more essential than ever before. Here are some ways you can stay ahead of this ever-changing game.
You may have heard the old adage, “You never get a second chance at creating a good first impression.” Fortunately, we are here to discuss how to do that online to expand your digital presence and improve your marketing strategies online. Public events like showings, open houses, and other in-person activities are becoming far less commonplace. Digital marketing is becoming more essential than ever before. Here are some ways you can stay ahead of this ever-changing game.
Focus on Your Images
Images are absolutely everything! According to Landlordtips.com, high-quality, carefully selected images can increase clicks on your property listing by up to 139%.
We cannot stress enough just how important it is to post online with digital visual appeal in mind. Your images are the first thing your audience is going to look at, followed by your title. Too many landlords list their properties with only a picture or two of the property’s front or outdoor view. One image is better than nothing, but it isn’t enough. Include high-quality photos of every important room along with exterior views of the property, back and front. Let your online visitors see as much of your property as they would see if they were there in person.
- If you’re taking your photos yourself always make sure to keep these helpful hints in mind:
- Always take your photos during the day with sufficient lighting and using a high-quality HD camera or smartphone for best quality
- Take photos of all of the property’s most essential areas. Back and front exterior should be accompanied by photos of living areas, bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom
- Include photos of any special features or popular amenities. Pools, lofts, scenic views, and walk-in closets are just a few to consider
- If your property isn’t furnished, don’t include furnishings in your photos. This can create a false impression, but excluding furnishings can also make your rooms appear more spacious
- Always, always, always, make sure your property is clean and free of any visible maintenance issues before taking any photos. Peeling paint, damaged tiles, or even a small piece of trash in the background can ruin a listing photo
Write An Amazing Title and Description
Your listing title/headline is the first thing your target renters are going to see along with your photos. We’ve discussed before “How to Write an Attractive Rental Listing Headline” but some basic ideas to remember are:
- Always include your price, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, and the location of your property
- Keep your property’s features in mind, and whom they’d appeal to
- Always be accurate and truthful. Don’t brag about something if you can’t deliver for the duration of the lease
Writing your description is similar to writing a title/headline, but you can include a little more text. Try to tell the story of why the people you want to rent to would want to live here and what kind of people would want to live here. Consider the following example:
“Spacious two-bedroom apartment with a bathroom, living room, and an open, modern kitchen perfect for preparing meals for the whole family. This property is conveniently situated in a quiet but thriving community with a supermarket nearby and a school just a stone’s throw away. It’s perfect for a small suburban family ready to settle in and enjoy a new life.”
Focus on Your Images
Images are absolutely everything! According to Landlordtips.com, high-quality, carefully selected images can increase clicks on your property listing by up to 139%.
We cannot stress enough just how important it is to post online with digital visual appeal in mind. Your images are the first thing your audience is going to look at, followed by your title. Too many landlords list their properties with only a picture or two of the property’s front or outdoor view. One image is better than nothing, but it isn’t enough. Include high-quality photos of every important room along with exterior views of the property, back and front. Let your online visitors see as much of your property as they would see if they were there in person.
If you’re taking your photos yourself always make sure to keep these helpful hints in mind:
1
Always take your photos during the day with sufficient lighting and using a high-quality HD camera or smartphone for best quality
2
Take photos of all of the property’s most essential areas. Back and front exterior should be accompanied by photos of living areas, bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom
3
Include photos of any special features or popular amenities. Pools, lofts, scenic views, and walk-in closets are just a few to consider
4
If your property isn’t furnished, don’t include furnishings in your photos. This can create a false impression, but excluding furnishings can also make your rooms appear more spacious
5
Always, always, always, make sure your property is clean and free of any visible maintenance issues before taking any photos. Peeling paint, damaged tiles, or even a small piece of trash in the background can ruin a listing photo
Write An Amazing Title and Description
Your listing title/headline is the first thing your target renters are going to see along with your photos. We’ve discussed before “How to Write an Attractive Rental Listing Headline” but some basic ideas to remember are:
1
Always include your price, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, and the location of your property
2
Keep your property’s features in mind, and whom they’d appeal to
3
Always be accurate and truthful. Don’t brag about something if you can’t deliver for the duration of the lease
Writing your description is similar to writing a title/headline, but you can include a little more text. Try to tell the story of why the people you want to rent to would want to live here and what kind of people would want to live here. Consider the following example:
“Spacious two-bedroom apartment with a bathroom, living room, and an open, modern kitchen perfect for preparing meals for the whole family. This property is conveniently situated in a quiet but thriving community with a supermarket nearby and a school just a stone’s throw away. It’s perfect for a small suburban family ready to settle in and enjoy a new life.”
Host & Post a Video Tour
Images are amazing, and we have already discussed their importance, but more recently, video content is emerging as an ideal way of doing business online. If you want an edge over the competition with your online rental listings, you need video content. Open houses and property showings are a necessary way of introducing your prospective tenants to do their new home, but in the era of COVID-19 in-person events are becoming less practical.
In a previous article, we discussed “How to Prepare for A Rental Property Tour.” In recording a video or hosting a live video conference, you’ll find that the concepts are very much the same, except everything, is online.
You can host your video tour live by posting a live video on Facebook, or inviting your tenants to a Zoom conference or Google Hangouts session. You may also consider hosting an open house as a live webinar as an exciting way to get the word out about your hot property.
More business is going online, and this industry is no exception. Every sector of real estate will soon be following suit. It’s going to be more critical than ever in a COVID-19 and a post-COVID-19 world to create a great digital online impression for your real estate property listings. If you have any questions or ideas on this matter, we’d love to get in touch or feel free to comment below!
Host & Post a Video Tour
Images are amazing, and we have already discussed their importance, but more recently, video content is emerging as an ideal way of doing business online. If you want an edge over the competition with your online rental listings, you need video content. Open houses and property showings are a necessary way of introducing your prospective tenants to do their new home, but in the era of COVID-19 in-person events are becoming less practical.
In a previous article, we discussed “How to Prepare for A Rental Property Tour.” In recording a video or hosting a live video conference, you’ll find that the concepts are very much the same, except everything, is online.
You can host your video tour live by posting a live video on Facebook, or inviting your tenants to a Zoom conference or Google Hangouts session. You may also consider hosting an open house as a live webinar as an exciting way to get the word out about your hot property.
More business is going online, and this industry is no exception. Every sector of real estate will soon be following suit. It’s going to be more critical than ever in a COVID-19 and a post-COVID-19 world to create a great digital online impression for your real estate property listings. If you have any questions or ideas on this matter, we’d love to get in touch or leave us a comment!
