advertising rental help- criagslist seems to not be yielding the same interest as prior years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:do you have an actual email address listed? Do you have pictures???

I do have pictures but do have it set so that the email address is anonymous until I email them back.

For reasons that I don't really understand, when I was renting our place and I had a craigslist anonymous email I had much less interest. When I changed it to a still anonymous, but not craigslist email (think [e-mail]) I had much more interest.

If you link to your add we could give more feedback.

great suggestions, thanks everyone.

here is a link to my post- any suggestions?

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/apa/3661246921.html

[Anonymous]

Use a real email address and give your first name. "Please contact John at [e-mail]"

Then people get the impression they're working with an actual person. You also want to give information like amenities, distance to metro (and which stop), general location (not just "Arlington"), dog/pet friendly or not, square footage, utilities included, furnished?, etc.

[Anonymous]

Looks good, but a bit pricey for the location, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Wow, way too much for that location. I lived in a 2-bedroom in Courthouse last year for $400 less per month where some utilities were included, and there are 2-bedrooms in Colonial Village there that are a 5-minute walk to Courthouse and Rosslyn for less than that price. 10 minutes to EFC is further than most people are willing to pay a premium for.

[Anonymous]

it is discouraging real landlords and agents from posting their real listings.

PP here - I don't consider the $2000 cellars "real listings," either, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Rental market is strong. Whatch u talkin bout Wills?

God yes!! We had hoards of people contacting us about our rental in January which we always rent through craigslist. It was in Georgetown though.

I live in N.Arlington and what I've seen is a gazillion brand new condo buildings..it seems like a new apartment or condo building is going up on every corner. That said--my friend had a really hard time finding a rental this Fall over here so I am going with maybe price is too high and it isn't finally the glut of too many apts/condos like I have been anticipating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Rental market is strong. Whatch u talkin bout Wills?

+1

-1

You clearly are not actually for a rental and are glancing through Craigslist.

Actual MLS listings provide a more accurate picture. There are less places coming on the market but they are sitting longer and prices are dropping well before 30 days. Compared to same time last year - and again this is via MLS listing - the area I getting listing alerts for show them opposite.

[Anonymous]

Bad time of year, tha'ts all. Try in June and you'll have a line out the door.

[Anonymous]

Make sure to post to zillow, got the best tenants through my zillow listing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Rental market is strong. Whatch u talkin bout Wills?

+1

-1

You clearly are not actually for a rental and are glancing through Craigslist.

Actual MLS listings provide a more accurate picture. There are less places coming on the market but they are sitting longer and prices are dropping well before 30 days. Compared to same time last year - and again this is via MLS listing - the area I getting listing alerts for show them opposite.

I also wanted to add that unless you look at the actual MLS listing after a listing has rented, you do not see the actual rented at price. The listing price and the actual rented price can be off by a $50 - $200 dollars at times.

[Anonymous]

okay-I have some suggestions about your pictures.
I would make the first one of the living room or kitchen instead of the dining room.
I would delete the dining room and possibly the front entrance one entirely and get a picture of the bathroom and the bedroom.
The dining room picture makes it look like there are water stains on the walls. When I looked more closely I realized that it was shadows from the chandelier.
I know you are limited to 4--- I don't think the dining room is something most tenants care a lot about.

I'm trying to decide if I think your rental price is too high. Our condo is basically similar to yours, but a little bigger. It is much closer to DC, but not walking distance to a metro stop. FWIW we have it rented for nearly $200 less than yours. I see some others near yours that appear to be listed around 1675-- so that is almost 200 cheaper.

I also would suggest changing your headline to "blocks from EFC" rather than "10 minute walk..." I know that complex- it is very close to EFC, I would think if it takes 10 minutes to walk it you are walking slowly.

[Anonymous]

We had a Falls Station condo that we rented out for years until we sold last year, but the 2 bed/2 bath 986 sq. ft unit w/balcony. When we sold in 2012, the rent was $1950, and we had hardwood floors. So maybe yours is a little pricey. The photo of the living room with the couch is not the most inviting. I think a tiny bit of staging and new photos would move it faster. Lose the front door photo too, it doesn't help you.

[Anonymous]

I'd definitely try and improve the photos. They look dark and small.

[Anonymous]

I'd want to see photos of the bedroom. Also, I think your price is too high.

[Anonymous]

I also wanted to add that unless you look at the actual MLS listing after a listing has rented, you do not see the actual rented at price. The listing price and the actual rented price can be off by a $50 - $200 dollars at times

Where can you find this information? Previously I had to ask a Realtor to pull rental comps and send them to me, I would love to be able to access them on my own.