Marketing your rental property to potential rental applicants is tricky enough, but marketing to a particular generation of renters can be even trickier. As times change, the needs and wants of renters can shift, and what you think might be a selling point on your property could prove to be the opposite. Take a look at these recent renter marketing trends to see how your rental property holds up. And, who knows? You might just find you’re the perfect fit for the newest generation.
The Renters of Today
While you might be racing to learn more about a particular property’s target demographic or get the inside scoop on the newest renters on the block, you’ve got to start with the basics. Who are today’s renters, and what do they want?
Although your residents might come from multiple generations, Zillow Group reports that half of all renters are Millennials (ages 24 to 38). According to their 2018 Consumer Housing Trends Report, combined with Generation Z (ages 18 to 23), young adults consist of 65% of all renters! Considering that the U.S. Census Bureau showed that Millennials had reached one-quarter of the nation’s population, larger than the 75.4 million Baby Boomer generation, this might come as no surprise.
Gen Z
18 - 23
Millennials
24 - 38
Gen X
39 - 53
Baby Boomers
54 - 73
Please note that renters aged 74 and up (also known as the Silent Generation) only consist of 3% of the rental market, and thus will not be factored into the later part of this article.
As you can imagine, what renters want in a rental property not only varies based on generational preferences, but in familial status, occupation, and more. For example, Zillow’s data suggested that the majority of renters live with others – with pets occupying 46% of all rental units surveyed. The wants and needs of a pet owner will be vastly different than a young family or a retired couple, and you’ll want to factor these differences into your marketing strategy.
That being said, there are quite a few similarities in what Baby Boomers, Generation X, Y (Millennials), and Z want. Collectively, Zillow’s renters showed that they value safety, affordability, and air conditioning. 39% of renters even stated that they would prefer to e-sign their lease – which could be a good opportunity to grow your internal leasing processes!
Safety
Safety, tied with walkable neighborhoods, close proximity to shopping or other activities, and public transportation, is the top factor for renters!
Affordability
82% of renters rate staying within their initial rent budget ‘very’ or ‘extremely important!’
Air Conditioning
Want to add an amenity? Think: air conditioning. 66% of renters value good old’ A/C. The hotter the climate, the more passionate renters are about air conditioning.
According to The Manifest, “more than 80% of every generation uses social media at least once per day,” although the total number of social media platforms varies between generations. If you do decide to market rental properties using one social media platform, consider YouTube. In their survey, it showed that the majority of all generations use YouTube once a week (including more than half of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers). Plus, doing a pre-emptive online showing can weed out uninterested applicants.
The Generational Renter: What’s the Difference?
If you’re trying to attract a particular generation of renters to a property, you’ll first need to consider your target renter’s stage of life. At 18 to 23, most Generation Z-ers are looking for their first rental close to their school or work, and won’t be quite so picky when choosing a rental. In fact, more than half of Gen Z renters surveyed by Zillow said they’d be interested in choosing a furnished or partially furnished rental.
On the other hand, Millennials and Gen X renters will have likely lived in quite a few rental properties and have a better idea as to what they want. Millennial and Gen X renters might be married, with their own children (Pew Research found that about 48% of Millennial women in 2016 were moms). They might be already considering leaving the rental market and purchasing a home as well. Experian reports that Millennials are officially making moves into homeownership, showing that the mortgage debt for this demographic rose up by 6.8% just within the past year. Realtor.com’s 2018 report also backs up this trend.
As Baby Boomers hold a surprising 12% of the renter population, this demographic of renters is looking for flexibility. As CNBC put it, “Boomers are seeking something urban…They want to be close to where their kids and grandkids are.” Plus, they have the credit score to back it up. It’s no surprise that Baby Boomers have the highest credit score, at an average of 700 in 2017.
Whether the properties in your portfolio fit in with the new kids on the block or a mix of generations, understanding the similarities and differences of these renters can help you hone in on your property’s marketing strategy. The better you understand your desired renters, the better you attract similar renters.
Which generation is your ideal renter? Let us know in the comments section!
