In reality, the majority of renters today will check online reviews initially prior to searching on the subject of a property. This makes cultivating positive reviews a critical task for rental property owners and managers alike. Read on to find out more about online reviews’ impact and discover actionable tips to leverage reviews for your complete benefit.
The Power of Online Reviews
One of the first things to understand about online reviews’ role in the rental market is how much renters depend on them to make decisions. In today’s digital world, online reviews work in the same manner as with a large community board, sharing convenient and salient information concerning businesses, activities – and landlords.
Renters are far more likely to trust the review of another renter over whatever is shared or stated by the property owner or manager. Therefore, positive reviews are a rental property owner’s most valuable asset, along with being a key marketing strategy. Positive reviews help build credibility and improve a property’s visibility on search engines and listing platforms. All of this will do good to you to highly attract and keep the high-quality renters you would actually want to lease to.
The Ripple Effect of Positive Reviews
In addition to the clear face value of positive reviews, there are other rewards likewise. To cite an instance, a healthy number of positive reviews send an explicit message to renters that your property is well-managed, and that you spare no effort to always make certain your residents enjoy living in the property. With a whole lot of hateful landlords out there, this can easily set your properties apart, even in a competitive market.
Other advantages of positive online reviews encompass the ability to fill vacancies faster, and put together premium rental rates. Much as rental rates should constantly be influenced by thorough market analysis, an in-demand property can, without effort, state a rate at the higher end if renters are fully delighted with their rental experience.
Encouraging Tenant Feedback
There are plenty of ways that a rental property owner or manager can conveniently encourage renters to leave positive online reviews of the property. In truth, one of the first and undemanding means to do so is to just actually ask for them! If you’ve put in great effort to have regular positive interactions with a tenant, asking for a review makes so much sense.
For total convenience, provide your tenants with a link to review sites and rental platforms where your property is listed, and cordially ask them to comment on their experience. You, in addition, don’t have to wait until a renter moves out to ask for an online review. Contrarily, you can certainly ask satisfied tenants to leave reviews at salient circumstances, to cite an instance after you’ve done a maintenance, upgrade, or repair request. Nail down to thank your renter for their review and encourage additional feedback in other formats.
Managing Negative Reviews
Though seldom, despite your best efforts, residents may have left a negative online review about your property. For that possibility, the integral thing you can do is maintain your professionalism. Be on guard not to get defensive or accuse your renter of wrongdoing. This will surely backfire and cause you to lose credibility. Instead, properly address negative reviews promptly and with empathy.
In your response, hone in on how you will use the feedback to identify areas for improvement. Prudently monitor your presence on Google, Yelp, and rental-specific platforms, and engage positively with anything posted about your property. In quite a lot of situations, your response and the original review will be seen and known to likely renters. By handling negative reviews so well, you can highly mitigate any damage done.
Leveraging Reviews for Marketing Success
In lots of ways, online reviews can make your life as a rental property owner or manager simpler- or much harder. Consequently, you should not only encourage feedback from your renters but, on top of that, leverage positive reviews in your marketing also.
Those searching for a rental home will imminently encounter your reviews on their own, but, at the same time, you can help that process by featuring positive reviews on your website, social media, and promotional materials. Use positive reviews to demonstrate your commitment to top-notch property management and to set yourself up for long-term rental property success.
Boost Your Rental Success with the Power of Online Reviews
Positive online reviews are, definitely, a powerful tool for any rental property owner or manager, and handling them strategically can boost your chances of long-term rental success. Even so, cultivating reviews can be time-consuming and, often, quite stressful.
Real Property Management Cambridge grants established property management services in Roswell and nearby areas. Get reliable help managing your property’s online reputation and maximizing your marketing potential. today or call 770-527-6767.