7 Elements of an Effective Apartment Listing

Your apartment listing is the equivalent of a first impression. And there are many “first impressions” out there because your apartment listing is one of the hundreds if not thousands of listings in your area.

First impressions are built on looks and style. By making your apartment listing attractive, you catch the eye of the reader, and then you’re one step closer to having them apply for a lease or arrange for an in-person tour of the property—and ultimately turn them into renters.

You want to make an attractive apartment listing to attract prospective renters. Here are some tips.

Apartment description

A thorough, but not repetitive, property description is a must. Create a short story about the rental apartment by focusing on the key features without exaggerating or using empty words. It’s best to specify the square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and amenities such as balcony or garden, fireplace, smart appliances, laundry facilities or parking availability. High up in the apartment listing’s description, you should state if it’s pet friendly. This is also the place to mention any recent renovations.

Building amenities

Enumerate the common-area amenities. Mention if any of them have special features—a fitness center can be fully equipped, the swimming pool can be indoor or outdoor, the rooftop deck can be equipped with an outdoor kitchen, the community room can feature various game settings, and so on. Mention if there is co-working space, as it’s become an attractive feature in recent years, or if the property is served by a concierge or front desk staff and if it has a package room. Also, a dog park or a playground for children can gain your apartment listing many extra points. Finally, trails for walking and biking are desired amenities, and if there is also bike storage and/or bike repair station, make sure you include it in the property description.  

If the apartment is in a green building, include the sustainability features. With increased attention to green practices, apartment renters have become more invested in fighting climate change and saving the planet, and at home is a good place to start.

Location

Remember how “location, location, location” used to be the most sought-after criteria in renting or buying real estate? Well, while still important, it’s not as crucial because nowadays many employees can work remotely, so they are less bound to geographic positioning. Still, the listing absolutely needs to have the exact address and neighborhood of the apartment you’re leasing. This is where you should also include in your apartment listing the nearby amenities—public transportation, schools, shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants and parks.

Rental costs

The monthly rent amount and the additional fees, meaning security deposit, pet deposit and parking fees are just as important to list as the amenities. Additionally, make it clear if utilities are included in the monthly rent payment or not. Transparency is essential in financial matters.

Availability and contact information

Indicate when the apartment will be available—immediate occupancy or at a later date. Provide several contact information methods, like phone number, email address or property management website.

Visual gallery

Provide up to 15 high-quality photos, but keep them realistic and don’t overedit them. Ensure the chosen photographs depict the apartment from different angles, but don’t use repetitive images. You might also consider virtual tours or video walkthroughs, as they give a more immersive experience of the apartment. If available, include the apartment’s floor plan to give potential renters a better idea of the apartment’s layout and dimensions.

Terms and conditions and renter requirements

Here, you outline any specific leasing terms, such as lease duration, smoking policy, pet policy and whatever restrictions or requirements you have. The latter include credit score minimums, income requirements, background check information, or rental history.

Tick as many of the boxes listed above and your apartment listing will make a great first impression. Prospective renters who find your criteria fitting will find it easy to contact you and arrange that meeting, which can ultimately turn into a signed lease and an increase in your community’s occupancy. And add your listing to an ILS platform and your conversion rates can only go up!