by Jennifer Eblin

Created on: September 27, 2007

The growing popularity of the internet has opened a whole new world for landlords looking to find tenants.
It can be difficult to find quality tenants for your property, but the use of internet sites such as craigslist.com and myapartments.com can make this process a little easier. There are two ways landlords can find possible tenants, by creating advertisement, or creating a website.

For those looking to create their own website, myapartments.com is a good place to start. This site allows landlords to create a website with their listings, but some less technologically challenged might do well by hiring a private company to create the actual website. The basic website should include information on the property and links to pages with other details and pictures of the property. Avoid using advertising links which can distract potential tenants and cause them to leave your page.

When creating a website, do include any unique features that tenants may or may not like, including nearby restaurants and stores. Do let perspective tenants know the price of your property compared to similar properties in the area, especially if you have competitive pricing. Do describe the amenities and features of the property including square footage, number of bedrooms, and if there's a separate dining room. If you own a complex, also include features of your complex such as a playground, swimming pool, and any security features.

You should also include the cost of utilities on the website, as some tenants use this in determining their choice. Is the apartment predominantly gas or electric? And what is the average cost for heating/cooling? You also need to include local companies that service the area for telephone, cable, and internet. Prospective tenants may prefer a different company than one that services your property.

You also need to explain leasing information and the terms of the lease for prospective tenants. The listing should include the lease amounts available; 3, 6, 9, 12 months, etc. Other things to consider are pet exclusions, as some people will not even consider a property that does not allow pets, and the cost of deposits. Do you require a security deposit, and if so, how much is the deposit? If you require an application fee, background check, or credit check, make sure to include that in the listing.

It is also important that you list a move in date. Is the property available immediately, or is there a specific date that it will be available? I found a great apartment a few years ago, but right before signing the lease learned that it wasn't available for another two months, which made it impossible to accept. Some tenants have a date in mind, while others must move in as soon as possible.

Creating an advertisement or ad listing is the easiest way for a landlord to find tenants. Posting on a site such as Craigslist.com or even your local newspaper's website can be a fast and inexpensive way to list one property or multiple properties. Make sure to include as much information as possible from the above suggestions, and include several photographs of both the interior and exterior. Many tenants will shy away from seeking more information from a listing that doesn't include images.

Using the internet to find potential tenants can be easy and cheap.

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