“The times they are a changing” as Bob Dylan once crooned and this has never been truer than it is today. We live in a world in which the digital age has all but completely taken over. Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram have become major players in the real estate market, but Twitter has its limitations, all 140 of them. While you might be able to use Twitter to connect with current tenants, this simply isn’t enough room to create any type of rental listing.
When all you have is 140 characters, you could use them to send out rental reminders or announce new events. But, Millennials want far more than this. They want photos and videos to look at when they are searching for their next home. Today’s savvy property manager uses Instagram to his best advantage by posting top quality photographs of their property along with walk through videos.
But, you can’t just use any old camera for these images, but at the same time there is no reason for you to go out and spend a fortune on a fancy DSLR camera. If you own a smart phone with a decent camera, you can get the job done. However, you do need to keep your target audience in mind. If you are working with upscale rental properties, you may find it necessary to buy a better camera as your target audience will expect better quality images.
Don’t stick to just posting images and videos of your property, get out and about in the neighborhood. Take pictures of the many amenities in the area such as the great dining establishments, theaters, and other forms of entertainment. If you are not familiar with the area, talk to some of the property’s neighbors, they can tell you about any hidden gems in the neighborhood. Look for things like dog parks, children’s playgrounds, and of course the schools I the area.
The more time you invest in creating the perfect Instagram post for each of your rental properties, the more interest you are likely to generate. And as we all know, the more interest there is, the more rent you will be able to ask for each property.
If you don’t feel comfortable working in this medium, there are plenty of companies who offer these types of service. The statistics show the use of video and visual content is now taking up to 70% of total importance within the real estate market place.
When you look at the numbers and how easy it is to either create your own Instagram listings or have a professional create them for you, can you really afford to let this incredibly valuable tool go unused? Why not take a step into the 21st Century and use the latest technology to boost your rental rates and your occupancy? Your competitors are doing it, shouldn’t you be doing it too?
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