Where to Advertise Your Rental Property in 2024

In the fast-evolving landscape of rental property management, the key to maximizing occupancy rates and securing quality tenants lies in strategic advertising. As we step into 2024, the abundance of platforms available to advertise your properties can be helpful yet challenging. The options are vast, yet the question remains: where should landlords focus their advertising efforts to stand out in a crowded market?

This comprehensive guide explores the multifaceted world of rental property listings and advertising in 2024. We delve into the advantages of leveraging major listing sites and marketplace platforms, the targeted approach of rental-specific platforms, the streamlined efficiency of aggregator sites, and the localized charm of hyperlocal listing sites. Moreover, we discuss the value of advertising on your own website, the traditional yet effective print classifieds, and the importance of on-site signage, alongside innovative strategies like partnering with rental agents and creating engaging video listings.

Amidst these varied options, one platform stands out for its all-encompassing approach to rental advertising: Hemlane. Hemlane simplifies the complex process of listing and managing rental properties by offering wide-reaching syndication, integrated management tools, and a platform designed to connect landlords with the most qualified tenants swiftly. As we navigate the best practices for advertising your rental property in 2024, Hemlane emerges as a beacon for landlords seeking to streamline their advertising efforts and achieve unparalleled visibility in a competitive market.

1. Use Major Rental Listing Websites

The big name rental listing sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, Realtor.com and Trulia provide huge exposure and should be a key part of any landlord's advertising strategy. The best rental listing sites have massive search traffic from renters so getting your listing in front of this audience is critical.

Zillow and Trulia are essentially the same platform, creating a listing on one will populate it on the other platform. Their huge traffic numbers make them a must-use option. Zillow also allows landlords to claim their listings for free to better control how they are displayed.

Apartments.com is one of the largest rental sites with over 4 million visits per month. They offer useful analytics on who is viewing and engaging with your listing. Their audience skews towards younger renters.  

Realtor.com attracts over 40 million monthly visitors, many who may be interested in renting. Realtor listings also get distributed across a network of over 800 affiliated sites. The $49 fee may be worthwhile given their broad reach.

The major rental platforms provide an easy way to get your listing seen by millions of prospective tenants each month. Their brand credibility also establishes legitimacy. While paid options exist, even the free listings on these sites can be hugely beneficial.

These platforms offer significant exposure, however managing listings across multiple sites can be time-consuming. A property management app like Hemlane simplifies this process by syndicating your rental listings to over 30 major websites, including Zillow and Apartments.com, through a single, user-friendly dashboard. This ensures your property reaches the widest audience possible without the hassle of managing each listing individually.

2. Leverage Marketplace Platforms

Marketplace platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Nextdoor provide an easy way to get your rental listings in front of local audiences. These platforms have large user bases of engaged locals looking for housing options in their area.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace allows you to create a free rental listing that will be visible to users in your target area. The listing can include all the key details, photos, and even a video tour. Facebook Marketplace has over 1 billion monthly active users, giving your listing huge potential visibility. Make sure to optimize the listing title, description, and photos to attract qualified leads.

Craigslist 

Craigslist has long been a go-to site for rental listings in many markets. The site has high traffic from active renters searching by location. Create a detailed post in the Housing section, highlighting amenities, neighborhood details, and rent price. Make sure to repost and refresh your listing regularly so it stays on top. Screen respondents carefully, as scams are common.

Nextdoor

Nextdoor is a hyperlocal social network for neighborhoods. Posting in the For Rent section gets your listing in front of engaged residents right in your area. Nextdoor is useful for getting the word out locally and connecting with ideal tenants. Make sure to use eye-catching photos and respond promptly to messages.

Utilizing marketplace platforms efficiently requires time and attention to detail. Using a tool like Hemlane can enhance this experience by providing landlords with integrated tools for scheduling showings and screening applicants directly from the platform. This means less time spent navigating various platforms and more time connecting with quality leads.

3. Post on Rental-Specific Platform Sites

With major rental sites attracting a wide range of listings, rental-specific platforms like Rent.com, HotPads, PadMapper, and Rentals.com allow landlords to tap into audiences specifically searching for rentals. These sites only list residential and apartment rentals, so they attract serious renters as opposed to casual browsers.

Rent.com is one of the largest rental-only listing sites, featuring over 1 million active rental listings nationwide. Creating a free account allows landlords to post unlimited listings. Rent.com also syndicates listings to sites like Apartment Finder and Rental Homes Plus for added exposure. Their audience is primarily families and younger professionals searching for houses, townhomes, apartments and condos.

HotPads is Zillow's rental site focused exclusively on rentals. With its integration with Zillow, listings benefit from their large volume of traffic. You can post directly or connect your Zillow account to syndicate listings. HotPads provides listing management tools, tenant screening services, and rent estimates. Their renters tend to be younger and urban.

PadMapper is unique in aggregating rental listings from multiple sites like Craigslist. Landlords can submit directly or tap into PadMapper's aggregated listings for wider visibility. Their curated listings and mapping features attract 20-30 somethings seeking city rentals. 

Rentals.com specifically focuses on uncovering small-scale, privately-owned rentals that aren't always listed on major sites. Creating a free account allows landlords to list available rental units and access tenant screening tools. Their engaged renter base makes it a valuable option for advertising less mainstream rentals.

By tapping into these popular rental listing sites that are popular with serious renters, landlords can gain targeted exposure and connect with qualified prospects.

4. List on Aggregator Sites

Rental property aggregator sites allow landlords to list their rentals across multiple platforms from one centralized hub. This saves the time and hassle of posting listings individually on each site. Some top aggregator sites to consider include:

Hemlane

Hemlane stands out among aggregator sites by not only offering wide listing syndication but also empowering landlords with comprehensive management capabilities. From creating a professional website for your property to directly managing your listings and communicating with potential tenants, Hemlane provides an all-in-one platform that streamlines the advertising process as well as the rental process. Hemlane’s app also includes applicant tracking, tenant screening, online rent payments, and maintenance for your properties. All of these comprehensive features ensure landlords find the most qualified tenants in the shortest amount of time.

Rent Jungle  

Rent Jungle aggregates rental listings and posts them across sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, Realtor.com, HotPads, and more. You can submit your listing once and have it syndicated across over 50 top rental sites. Basic listings are free while premium packages with more features are available for a monthly fee.

RentalHouses.com

RentalHouses.com is another aggregator that posts listings to Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia and more. They offer a free basic listing option as well as paid premium packages for expanded distribution and features. You can also screen tenant applications through their site.

Rentals.com

Rentals.com syndicates listings to sites like Apartments.com, Rent.com, ForRent.com, and ApartmentGuide.com. Paid packages allow you to embed a listing widget on your own site. They also offer tenant screening services to help evaluate applicants.

Aggregator sites make it fast and easy to get your rental in front of vetted, qualified tenants on the most popular rental platforms. The expanded reach can help fill vacancies faster while saving landlords time and money.

5. Use Hyperlocal Listing Sites

Hyperlocal rental listing sites allow you to target potential tenants in your specific neighborhood or city. These niche sites tend to attract engaged audiences who are already looking to rent in your area. Some good options include:

• Nextdoor - This neighborhood-focused social network has a rental and housing section where you can post listings. You can target by neighborhood.
• Local Facebook groups - Search for neighborhood, city, or housing-focused groups on Facebook to post your listing. Make sure to read the rules first.
• Community bulletin boards - Check for both digital and physical bulletin boards in your area. Libraries, coffee shops, laundromats and recreation centers often have them.
• City or town rental listings - Many local governments maintain online rental listing services for their area. Check your city's website.
• Local classifieds sites - Sites like Craigslist have location-specific sections where you can advertise rentals.
• University housing lists - If renting near a college, list on their off-campus housing website.
• Meetup groups - Real estate investor groups and others may allow rental listings to be shared at meetings.
• Flyers - Printed flyers posted on community boards can reach locals without internet access.

The benefit of hyperlocal sites is targeting the specific pool of potential tenants already looking in your area. Make sure to optimize your listings for each site's format and audience.

6. Advertise On Your Own Website

Having your own website for your rental properties allows you to have full control over how you showcase and advertise your listings. Build out a dedicated listings page on your site displaying all your available rentals with photos, details, and calls-to-action for prospective tenants to apply.

Optimizing this listings page for search can help you rank for searches like "apartments for rent in [city]" or "houses for rent near [landmark]". Make sure to include important keywords and tags. Update the page frequently as units become occupied or new ones come online. 

Your website design should be mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and convey a sense of professionalism. Provide an online application form or easy way for interested tenants to contact you through the site. 

Use SEO best practices like meta tags and alt text for images. Research what related keywords and phrases tenants may be searching to find rentals in your area. Optimize page content around those terms.

Promote your site's listings page on social media and anywhere else you advertise your rentals. Driving traffic directly to your site helps build trust and recognition for your brand as a rental provider.

For landlords who may not have the resources to create and maintain their own website, a property management app like Hemlane can offer a solution. Hemlane’s platform allows landlords to create a professional-looking website for their rental properties, ensuring they can showcase their listings with all necessary details, photos, and even video tours, attracting more qualified tenants.

Having your own real estate site gives you the ability to capture leads and continuously market to prospective tenants. It also allows you full control over accurately representing your rentals online.

7. Partner with Leasing Agents

Working with leasing agents and property managers can be an effective way to tap into an existing network of renters. Agents will advertise your rental listings across their websites, social media, email lists and other marketing channels. 

Consider partnering with leasing agents in the following ways:

• Find a leasing agent - An easy way to find a leasing agent is through Hemlane. They can partner you with a local agent who will match you with qualified prospective tenants.
• Hire a rental property manager - Property managers handle all aspects of renting out your property, from advertising to screening tenants. There's a monthly % fee but they take care of everything.
• Advertise in agent materials - Ask agents to showcase your listing in their print listings, email newsletters, social media and other marketing materials. 
• Attend open houses - Have agents mention your available rental at open houses to attract other agents' buyer clients who may be interested in renting.

The benefit of working with leasing agents is leveraging their wide reach and renter networks. Be sure to still list your rental yourself as well, and compare any fees to the value added.

8. Create Video Listings

Video can be a powerful way to showcase your rental property and attract more interest from potential tenants. Walkthrough videos filmed on a smartphone allow you to highlight the home's best features and help prospective renters visualize themselves living there. Some tips for effective video listings:

• Create a 2-3 minute walkthrough video touring the home. Show main living spaces, bedrooms, yard, amenities. Provide narration highlighting the property.
• Capture a neighborhood tour showing proximity to parks, schools, shops. This gives renters a feel for the location.
• Focus on any special amenities: a pool, rooftop deck, and/or fitness center. Devote time in the video to showcasing these.
• Get b-roll footage of the neighborhood and community to use alongside your narration. Check for any noise or nearby construction. 
• Use a gimbal for stabilization if filming the videos yourself. Make sure lighting and audio are solid.
• Be enthusiastic and conversational in your narration, don't just monotone list facts. Highlight the lifestyle and experience.
• Promote your videos across your rental listings and social media. YouTube channels and websites are great homes for the videos too.
• Refresh video content every 6 months or year to keep marketing materials up-to-date for listings.

Well produced video listings can significantly boost interest in your rental property compared to just photos. Devote some time to creating these videos–they provide great ROI through increased inquiries and filled vacancies.

9. Leverage Print Classifieds

Local newspapers and circulars can still be an effective way to reach renters in your area who may not be searching online. Consider placing a classified ad in the real estate section of your city's main daily newspaper. Weekly community newspapers that serve specific neighborhoods can also be a good option. 

Look for free classified ad circulars and rental guides distributed around town, at bus stops, apartment buildings, laundromats, grocery stores, and other community hubs. These often reach people actively looking for housing. Make sure to highlight amenities like included utilities, renovated kitchens, or great locations that will stand out. 

Print classifieds likely won't be the only advertising tactic landlords use in 2023, but they can complement an online strategy. The benefit is you can target homeowners in specific zip codes. Just make sure to keep print ads short, include attractive headlines, lead with the best features, and provide contact details. Tracking coupon codes or phone numbers helps measure effectiveness.

10. Use Signage On Property

Advertise your rental vacancies on-site by using eye-catching signage, open house events, and by distributing flyers to attract local interest. 

• Place a "For Rent" sign in the front yard or window to grab the attention of people passing by. Make sure it includes brief details like number of bedrooms, rent price, and contact info.  
• Print flyers with photos, amenities and rental details to distribute in the neighborhood. Drop them in mailboxes, pin them on bulletin boards at local shops, or hand them out.
• Hold open house events on weekends so interested renters can tour the property in-person. Make sure the unit is clean and staged. Provide applications and be ready to answer questions.
• For multifamily properties, have leasing agents on-site when vacancies arise. They can answer questions and provide tours. 
• Use interior and exterior banner signs around the property advertising available units, prices and floorplans when vacancies are high. 
• Place "Now Leasing" A-frame sidewalk signs near the entrance during peak rental seasons when demand is high.
• Print large vinyl banners to hang on the exterior facade when you have multiple vacancies.
• Leveraging on-site signage when vacancies arise helps attract qualified, local renters already searching in the immediate area. Signage and open houses enable "walk-ins" versus solely relying on online listings.

Choosing the Right Platform to Advertise Your Properties

Choosing the right platforms to advertise your rental properties is crucial for attracting quality tenants and minimizing vacancies. With Hemlane's extensive network, easy-to-use tools, and comprehensive support, landlords can maximize their property's visibility and appeal. Learn more about how Hemlane’s rental advertising features can revolutionize the way you manage and advertise your rental properties in 2024 here.