Marketing apartments and filling vacancies is already stressful for landlords. In the middle of a pandemic, though, it can feel downright impossible.
Do you need help with apartment marketing during COVID-19? If so, we’re here to offer some advice.
Listed below are our top tips to improve your current strategy.
Level Up Your Apartment Listings
Do you want to make sure your properties stand out from the competition in 2020? Then you need to publish well-written and well-designed apartment listings.
When you’re marketing properties during a pandemic, you need to pull out all the stops. When it comes to writing descriptions for your apartments, that means doing the following:
● Highlight the best features first
● Include the basics (number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, etc.)
● Mention the neighborhood
● Mention nearby amenities and attractions
● Finish with specific details (pet-friendly, security deposit, included utilities, application fees, etc.)
● Include contact information
As for the listing design, don’t rely on boring, 2D floor plans to showcase your apartments. Upgrade to 3D renderings so people can see the details of the property and visualize themselves living in it.
Consider working with a professional photographer or videographer, too. They’ll be able to capture great shots of your apartments that make people want to check it out.
Offer Virtual Tours
In 2020, many renters are hesitant about going to visit properties in person. If you’re having a hard time renting out your apartments, it might be because you’re not offering an option for a virtual tour.
There are lots of ways to provide virtual tours.
On the most basic level, you could FaceTime or Skype with potential tenants and walk them through the property with an iPad or laptop. If you want to get a little more high-tech with it, you could work with a videographer and have them follow you through the property while you point out its best features.
You can provide these tours on-demand after future tenants reach out to you. You can also share a pre-recorded tour online or attach it to your listing for easier access.
Stay Informed
Every day, and sometimes multiple times per day, new information about the pandemic is released. It’s not easy to keep up with the latest developments, but it’s important to do your best as a landlord and business owner.
Staying informed will help you ensure you’re using the best and safest practices to show your apartments and sign leases for new renters. It’ll also provide you with the tools you need to keep your current tenants safe and healthy.
Use Social Media
If you’re not using social media to promote your properties in 2020, now is the time to start.
Social media is a great tool that lets you highlight the key features of your properties while also practicing social distancing. You can also use platforms like Facebook or Instagram to offer live virtual tours or answer questions about the apartments.
Make sure you’re not only posting frequently on social media but also engaging with followers. Answer questions and respond to messages in a prompt manner. Follow up with people who have asked questions in the past, too, to see if they’re interested in renting from you now.
Leverage Digital Leasing Tools
Digital leasing tools can help you to keep renters (and yourself) safe during the signing process.
Make it clear in your listings that you offer socially distanced leasing options. Examples include virtual appointment scheduling and digital document signing.
Leveraging digital leasing tools will set you apart from other landlords who are renting out their properties. It will show potential tenants that you value them and are doing your part to prioritize their health and safety.
Take Care of Current Tenants
Finally, don’t forget to take care of your current tenants. Communicate with them, address problems right away, and consider offering activities or opportunities for socially distanced connection if possible (hosting community events, posting uplifting messages in the office, etc.).
If you’re known for being a good landlord or property manager, your current tenants will be more inclined to write positive reviews for you and your business. This, in turn, will make it easier for you to attract new tenants in the future when apartments do become available. After all, people will be more inclined to rent from you if they know that you’re a good landlord.
Master Apartment Marketing During COVID-19 Today
If COVID-19 has made it harder to market your properties in 2020, start putting these tips to the test. By fine-tuning your marketing approach and utilizing the right digital tools, you can fill vacancies and keep your business running smoothly.