Listing a property for rent in Toronto is part science, part art. There is a massive demand for rental spaces in the city, but some potential landlords have difficulty finding tenants. This can boil down to poor listing techniques. This post will highlight some tips on how to list your property.
Write an Engaging Title
The headline is everything when it comes to listing a property in the Toronto real estate market. How you write it can mean the difference between a prospective buyer scrolling past your listing or contacting you. The headline needs to do two things: capture their attention, and leave a positive impression.
Your headline needs to be effective. It should essentially give buyers a good sense of what your property has to offer them.
Things to Include in Your Headline
- Number of Rooms (i.e., bedroom, bathroom)
- Location/Neighbourhood
- Price (or price range)
- Unique Features/Amenities
A good formula for writing a headline in the Toronto real estate market looks like this:
{Price} | {House Type} | Number of Rooms | Location | Unique Feature
For example:
$2800 – 2 Bed / 1 Bath Condo in Toronto, Liberty Village w/ Panoramic View
Write a Description that “Sells” Your Home
The description is where you get to distinguish your property from others and make good on your headline. That is where you add extra details to give prospective renters a “guided tour”. You should describe features that make your property attractive and unique.
You may want to start with what you think is the house’s best feature. If, for example, your best feature is a panoramic view of the city or lake, you can write “Beautiful view of the lake and city skyline.” Next, you can add some descriptions of the apartment or house itself, such as “modern,” “lots of space,” or “family-friendly.” You can also describe other features that sell the property further, including:
- Type of Neighbourhood
- Nearby Landmarks and Attractions
- Recent renovations
Incorporate a mix of these details to give renters the full picture of what your property can offer them.
Read: The most viewed homes in April 2022
Take Plenty of Photos
As good as your headlines and descriptions may sound, renters ultimately need to see the property. Poor-quality photos or photos that don’t represent your property will turn renters away. Make sure that your images highlight your property in the best way possible. There are no rules for taking pictures, but you should keep the following tips in mind:
- Include several photos of your property to give prospective tenants a better sense of where they’ll rent
- Include at least one photo of the principal rooms, including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, appliances, and viewing spaces (i.e., balcony, patio)
- Take photos in well-lit conditions, either in rooms that allow plenty of natural sunlight or bright artificial lighting
- Take professional photos either through a licensed photographer recommended by a real estate agent or on your own (but make sure they’re as high-quality as possible)
Whoever takes your photos is optional; taking good photos is not. For a better idea of how your photos should look, check out galleries of home listings in the Toronto real estate market for examples. Of course, you should also consult a Toronto real estate agent to ensure that your photos are up to standard.
Avoid Common Listing Mistakes
You don’t want to confuse or offend your prospective tenants, so here are some mistakes to avoid when listing your property:
- All caps
- Poor spelling and grammar
- Avoid awkward punctuation (exclamation points, colons)
- Long or vague descriptions
- Slang and jargon
- Phrases that may offend one’s status, gender, sexual orientation, or religion
- False claims about your property
Most of these errors will be evident to prospective tenants and dissuade them from contacting you. Others that don’t seem readily apparent (like making false claims) will reveal themselves once a tenant inspects the property.
Showing a listing to a real estate agent in Toronto is an excellent step after writing your listing. They’ll serve as a second pair of eyes and capture any unintentional errors or mistakes.
Read: The hidden costs of becoming a Landlord and how a brokerage can help
List it, So they Love It
Writing a good property listing in the Toronto real estate market or any real estate market is essential to getting people to contact you. If your listing is lackluster, your tenants will leave shortly after reading it.
Consider speaking to a real estate agent who can review your listing so that it sells your property in the best way possible.
Are you looking to list a rental property in Toronto? Get in touch with us so we can help you list it.
