After seven years of listing long-term rentals, I’ve learned that some places bring solid applicants and some bring headaches.
When I post a rental, my goal is to hit all of the major online sites that tenants actually use. The best part is that if you list on the first three places below, your listing automatically spreads to their affiliate sites – so you don’t have to create a dozen separate posts.
Here’s my advertising strategy, what actually works, and what I don’t waste my time on anymore. Before I ever schedule a showing, I prescreen tenants first so I’m not wasting time on people who don’t qualify.
1. Zillow
This is where my best leads come from. I pay $29.99 for the premium listing, and it lasts until I take the listing down. I do not pay for premium anywhere else. Zillow is the only one that is worth paying for. Nearly all of my actual tenants end up coming from Zillow.
Listing on Zillow sends your ad to:
- Zillow
- Trulia
- HotPads
- Realtor.com
2. Apartments.com
I use Apartments.com for online rent collection and screening, and I list rentals here as well. I tried their premium listing once for $30 – zero improvement in leads. Don’t bother.
Listing on Apartments.com sends your ad to:
- Apartments.com
- Homes.com
- ForRent.com
- Apartment Finder
3. TurboTenant
Looks similar to the two above, but the important difference is that TurboTenant gets you on Redfin and Zumper.
Listing on TurboTenant sends your ad to:
- TurboTenant
- Apartments.com
- ForRent.com
- ApartmentFinder
- Realtor.com
- Redfin
- Rent.com
- Rentals.com
- Craigslist
- Zumper
4. Facebook Marketplace
This is where chaos lives.
It’s also where the most rental scams show up.
The leads will double or triple, and so will the headache. Ironically, Facebook Marketplace is also one of my most useful tools during cleanouts – when I’m using it on my terms.
Marketplace leads come with attitude, weird drama, and messages like “Is this still available?” on repeat. And I hate that people can see when I’ve read their message – they get REAL MAD if they see you read their message and didn’t respond immediately. No thank you.
If you decide to post here:
- Lock down your public profile.
- Hide your friends list, photos, everything.
- Tenants do not need to know anything about your personal life.
I only post a rental on Facebook Marketplace if it’s been listed elsewhere for a couple weeks with no good leads. I’m perfectly fine letting a property sit if needed – waiting for the right tenant always pays off.
5. FurnishedFinder.com
Recommended if you’re doing furnished or mid-term rentals. I don’t do those (yet), but many landlords swear by it.
6. Sign in the Yard
Just don’t.
I’ve literally gotten worse leads from a yard sign than I do on Facebook Marketplace. That’s impressive. And you will get random people stopping by to peek in the windows. And if you happen to be at the property in person – people will stop their cars and holler questions at you from the street, or physically approach you. Just no.
I threw away my “For Rent” signs a couple years ago and haven’t missed them for a second.
7. Your Own Website
I don’t think it’s worth the time unless you have a lot of doors. Fifty units? Maybe. Two or three? No. If you do have one and actually get quality leads, leave a comment and let me know how many units you think make it worthwhile.
8. Off-Campus Housing (If You’re in a College Market)
Applies only if your rental is near a university. Some have paid platforms, some are free. Worth checking, especially for higher-income tenants like grad students.
🚩🚩 Important for New Landlords 🚩🚩
Remember: You are a business, not a charity.
You are going to get what I call a “Story.” You’ll know it when it shows up – usually a long emotional message about evictions, job loss, personal problems, “just needing a chance,” and how you can be their hero if you ignore your own criteria.
Here’s the truth: Reality check time.
If they met your posted rental criteria, they wouldn’t be sending a 3 paragraph story to a stranger on the internet to tug at your heartstrings.
When you get a Story, do not get sucked in.
Do not reply with sympathy.
Just send your prescreening questions and move on.
If you ever find yourself thinking, “Maybe I’ll make an exception and let this person in, just this once…”
Stop. Re-evaluate. Picture yourself sitting in eviction court with them.
That usually clears things up and brings you back to reality.
Just remember, I warned you. You will think of this post when you see your first “Story”. 😂
Final Tips for Listing a Long Term Rental
- Write a clean, professional listing.
- Take lots of photos.
- Respond quickly, and professionally.
- Stick to your criteria.
- Also, don’t forget to remove your rental photos later – assessors really do use them. I wrote about that here.
That’s it. This is exactly how I advertise, and it works. Hopefully it saves someone out there time, money, and sanity – especially the sanity part.
