I usually use a “for sale” sign - Posted by Rich-CA
Posted by Rich-CA on October 17, 2008 at 21:23:01:
like the ones the RE agents use for a sale except it says “For Lease”. I include the property info sheets like the ones for a sale, showing the pictures, telling them what schools are nearby and the contact information. That way when someone stops by they can get a one pager that shows enough and explains enough so they can decide to call you.
Renting is a numbers game. Depending on the norms for any given period, X number of showings yields Y number of applications which in turn yields Z qualified tenants. You plug in the numbers. So if it takes 20 calls to produce a showing and 5 showings to produce an application and 2 applications to produce a qualified tenant, you have 20 x 5 x 2 = 200 contacts (its usually a lot less than this, but this is just an illustration) so those “tire kickers” are required to get to the tenant. In some areas the numbers are higher, in others its lower. But its all about traffic.
Traffic has different level of quality. Word of mouth from people already living in the neighborhood is more like to produce a good lead than a wide circulation newspaper where many callers are just shooting in the dark.
Re: Signs also work in all three areas I am in - Posted by Kristine-CA
Posted by Kristine-CA on October 17, 2008 at 19:36:27:
I use the front yard, if there is front fence, I use that. Close enough to
the road so that those driving by can read the number/info.
Regarding wasting your time: no one can waste your time, dude! Only
you can let people waste your time. Those driving by already know the
location/neighborhood, a good start. I never show a place to anyone
who hasn’t at least driven-by. Then, hold a one 3-hour period
viewing/open house where you show the place and take applications.
If people can’t make that time AND they really want it, they will let you
know. Kristine