I just ended my longest vacancy in a while. Prior to this one...3-5 days to fill an empty was average. I've been using Zumper as it continus to offer a "free" listing option.

Heh, as the old saying goes "You get what you pay for"...although that only became true recently. My previous vacancy was about 2-3 months ago, and as usual I listed on Zumper only, got 100 responses, 5 apps, and 1 qualified application. All within the space of 4 days.

This time I posted 2 weeks ago: crickets. 1 response every 3 days. I thought something was wrong with my listing. Nope, it's there.

So I went back to Zillow. They've changed their rates: $9.99 per week (same as always) but also added $19.99 for 90 days. Not bad. I went for the 90 days, just in case I would have similar slow responses as Zumper.

Exploded with leads, just like the good old days when Zillow was free. Better quality leads too, in general, though still plenty of "Will you work with someone who is being evicted?" and "I don't have a job yet but I'll get one once I'm settled in."

3 days from posting... I have a signed lease and certified funds in hand.

So, I'm back to Zillow for the time-being. I like the $19.99 for 90 days. That's pretty cheap, and the lead quality is worth it. One day's rent is more than that, so no reason to be cheap and sit vacant. Sharing this so others who used to be Zillow fans and switched (possibly due to my recommendation) can rethink their strategy. The bloom is off the Zumper rose, at least where I live.

Sid,

Buying 3 lines in my local newspaper classifieds still costs

Thanks for sharing current information about what service is currently effective, it changes often. I spent more than a month blocked from FB marketplace earlier this year. We should all keep in mind that these platforms are too fickle to base our business on.

I vote for SISCOBOOK.com!

Fickle is right.

Zillow took 3 days to make my latest post active. Even then it used pictures from years ago, not my ultra cool digital staging and watermarked photos, and posts THEIR suggested rent $300 lower than mine.

FB sometimes allows our posts, sometimes not.

Roy, we quit the newspaper when I realized we were getting ONE application/week and spending $600/month.

Signs still work.

When I've used Zillow the past year, tons of inquiries via e-mail but no follow up phone calls. I think it is part of Zillow's marketing to make you think it's effective.

It feels like new websites are popping up everyday, trying to be the next Zillow. No way to determine their coverage.

We use the tech sites but I am still a believer in

1. Make your home look great. Keep it looking good all the time so people notice it.

2. Signs work

3. Pay exisiting residents for referrals.

BRAD

How do you get the $19.99 deal with zillow? It is $9.99