How to write a rental listing that rents fast

• Shoot in daylight with the lights on, after a clean and declutter.
• Take one wide photo of every room, plus the outside, kitchen and bathrooms.
• Put the best photo first: it is the one people see in search results.

Show the rent and every required monthly fee (parking, pet rent, trash) so renters see the full cost up front. Surprise fees waste everyone's time and lose trust. Also list the deposit, any move-in fees and the application fee.

• Bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage.
• Move-in date and lease length.
• Pet policy, parking, laundry and air conditioning.
• Which utilities are included and which the tenant pays.

Two or three short paragraphs are enough: what makes the home good to live in, what is nearby, and how to book a tour. Describe the home, not the tenant you want. Example: "Bright second-floor two-bedroom with a washer and dryer, covered parking and a five-minute walk to the park."

Ads must not show a preference for or against protected groups. Avoid phrases like "perfect for singles", "no children", "adults only", "ideal for a Christian family" or "able-bodied". Where source of income is protected, also avoid "no Section 8" or "no vouchers". Describe the property and its rules instead, for example "no smoking" or "one cat allowed".

Good renters contact several homes at once. Answering questions and offering tour times the same day is often what decides who rents first.