Avoiding Legal Pitfalls In Marketing Your Home or Apartment...

Having been in the property management business for more than a decade you begin to learn and understand the behavioral habits of people as they are looking for a new place to live.  It used to be that they would go get the newspaper or just drive around, but these days it is no secret that the majority of the searches begin online.  There is one crucial point you should remember about advertising: Where you advertise is often more important than how you advertise.  Fortunately, the majority of people don't seek out results in places that cost the looker or the owner a fee.  That's right...its usually a free listing site such as Craigslist or HotPads among others.  This is not the secret to your success.  According to Attorneys David Brown, Ralph Warner & Janet Portman, legally, you should have no trouble iif you follow these simple rules: 1) Make sure the price in your ad is an honest one; 2) Don't advertise something you don't have; and 3) Be sure your ad can't be construed as discriminatory.  If you have any legal and nondiscriminatory rules on important issues, such as no pets, it's a good idea to put them in your ad.

Sure you can post an ad and even get some calls but what experienced and effective management companies do to convert the lookers into renters is truly the secret.  That being said, it is not a secret method or password.  Nor is it a slimy sales pitch with a mantra of "always be closing."  Quite honestly, we at Neighborhood Property Management have found that in markets such as Fresno and Clovis, it is more about... 

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putting together a professional looking and simple ad with photos, posting it in multiple places and then being responsive to those who call.  We cannot emphasize that last part enough.  Usually, people have either procrastinated or are in some transition time of their life where many things are drawing on their attention and time.  They want to find the latest listings, gather the information, narrow their list and then start calling and driving around seeing places.  Property owners and management companies who have the time to dedicate themselves to being consistent with these practices and being able to accommodate others in their time of transition are the ones who succeed.  

Well, that's the secret.  It's pretty simple really.  Have a professional looking ad, post it in the right places and then be very responsive to those that respond.  Of course, then the question becomes how effectively you screen those people who call you and how you obtain credit check fee, accept rent, hold security deposit, structure your lease package to best protect your asset...but that is a discussion of another blog entry.  Please let us know if Neighborhood Property Management can assist you with your investment.  Remember, it's not that you can't do it, it's just whether or not your time is more valuable doing something else you prioritize more.  Such is life right?  No different that me hiring a gardener when I have the ability to do it myself.  

Neighborhood Property Management- a small family owned business committed to providing excellent property management services for residential property owners of single family homes and apartment complexes.  Please contact us today for a free estimate and site visit: 559-270-6776 or info@neighborhoodpm.com.