Hello everyone, i am always looking for ways to improve so i am in the process of having a website for my tenants and myself, i am curious to know what things do you offer on your websites as a LL?

I had seen a few from fellow LL here.

Brad's 20,000 I love your website, very informative.

I plan to include: App Process, detailing the steps, Requirements, is a brief description of the criteria, not the complete criteria, Contact Form and Maintenance Request... Also Jason was currently helping me to automate the Pre-Screening, is really awesome how it works, thanks Jason.

Hi Lordy: I am also in the process of the same. I think it is good to do so.

I thought my lease was comprehensive, but needs so much more, which this group is so graciously teaching what else needs to be included.

I am disheartened that prospects and some of the best "chosen" tenants are either not reading, skimming, forgetting, or ignoring what they have read. That is why it is necessary to reiterate points on a website.

Can we go further in our reiteration? I am learning from a tenant who was once quite defiant and challenged my rules who has done a 180 and has told me she now understands why my rules are what they are. She has also told me that she appreciates, now understands why, and that this is the best rental experience she's ever had (and she's had many).

Now I can name who here will disagree, but dare we add to our website some of the "why" of a particular rule? i.e, take a safety issue smoke detectors, and explain the why. You can think of other areas, this is one example.

My website is brunswick student housing.

Some thoughts:

I think good photos is key and even better, a video of your places.

And once you get a website with a company name, set up your company on google and start asking your tenants to write you google review.

I do get a fair amount of contacts from the "schedule a tour" tab.

Make sure you get a website that's easy to change, as you'll be updating availability and rent amounts on a regular basis. And you'll be updating photos when you make improvements to properties.

I'm not a fan of listing ANY of my criteria in advertisements. If people already know the answers to the test, they know how to answer. For the most part, people don't read advertisements anyways and with an automated system they don't need to.

Cast a big net by letting everybody and their brother-in-law fill out the pre-screener. If they don't meet your criteria, they won't be able to take up a second of your time anyways, so what benefit is there to having a criteria list?

Dee Ann yes that will be a good idea explaining some of the rules. I had been gathering information for a FAQ and is getting lengthy, i have 47 Q&A right now heheh.

BillW i remember seen your website too and i like it.

Jason i once thought that too, but this also help me to weed out lost of unqualified people, and Yes, by the way you explained it make sense what you said.

LZ,

Thanks for the kind words!

My tip: gremlins rearrange the code on your website when you are not looking. Gotta check it everyday to make sure everything is working.

I lost my web helper so my home postings are just basic info, not the nice page with photos, etc for each home.

Websites take time to manage. But the payoff is worth it.

Prospects START shopping on the internet.

I list 6 basic criteria to help minimize save US time. But people ignore them and still apply and pay.

We verify everything, 19 point criteria checklist, so knowing some criteria in advance has not helped the the baddies.

Just make sure your criteria is approved by the Fair Housing office.. (which it should be anyway!)

Had mine for 13 yrs now... its a must if you have 10 units or more.

Good pics, videos (just upload to youtube), application, rental description.

I have a FAQ page. Goes over pet policy, basic guidelines for approval, etc.

My one suggestion: use the KISS principal. Its a little better now, but when I first started... I built a page, looked great on PC but junk/hard to navigate on a phone. Guess what? its like 90% of all views are on a smart phone now. So make it phone friendly.

I took down all of our properties and photos from the website, and just the website to hang our Pre-screen form and application. And soon application will be moving to Buildium.

I was a bit worried about advertising everything we have, especially since they are rarely available. Though anyone can look up who owns what property in our county tax records, I didn't want to wave a red flag in front of bulls: "Hey look what we have and you don't!" if you know what I mean...

I also do not post specific criteria - everything Jason said about that is correct. I've seen people change their info and fill out the pre-screen again if we turned them down, using false info to file the rules, as if we wouldn't notice or remember them!

Brad you welcome, you website covers all and more hehe.

Thanks for the tips.

Yes that is what i do as well list some criteria, but know with Jason automated form this will be more helpful.

T i just have 1 multi family, but my plan is to expand.

I am working in the FAQ too. KISS = Keep it simple, Stupid! 1st time i hear about it, thanks.

SMall Potatoes what do you mean i can be sued by trolling lawyers?

LZ,

Lawyers need money. Many are broke. A big lawyer will hire interns to comb thru ads and websites, even claling tenant, searching for a Mom&Pop who did know the be careful with what they post.

I know a LL who was chased by a big shot who placed ads asking for people who had rented from this LL, join join a class action suit against her.

A slight misuse of words cost her $65,000 to that lawyer.

Some online management programs include a website.

GoDaddy used to have WEBSITE TONIGHT - a quick way to make a basic website.

We only list the homes that are on the market. We take the home listing down when it is rented.

I want prospects focusing on a available homes, not the ones they cannot get. It is simple web work.

Tip: i removed our phone number from ALL advertising inlcuding signs and Zillow. I do NOT want any calls. We post the web address everywhere.

BRAD

Brad interesting to know,1st time i read that, thanks for sharing.