People are on the move, and out-of-state renters are up for grabs.
There are several ways to attract out-of-state renters to your rental properties. From month-to-month leases, an increased online presence to virtual tours and digital advertising, there are plenty of resources at your disposal as a landlord to expand the reach of your rental market. Here’s what you need to know to bring in renters that are ready to relocate.
The pandemic changed a lot of things for people – how we work, how much money we’re willing to accept, and, not surprisingly, where we live. Small businesses went under, big companies laid people off indefinitely, real estate skyrocketed, and more people started working remotely. So, it’s no surprise that many people are relocating – for better jobs, lower housing prices, or because it was an excellent time to sell.
The moving trend is still ongoing, and people are relocating to some surprising places. More remote workers who can work from anywhere are floating around. How can you attract some of these out-of-state renters looking for a new home? Here’s what you need to know to bring in renters who are looking to relocate.
11 Smart Strategies for Attracting Out-of-State Renters
1. Understand the Rental Market Trends
The reasons why people are relocating can be your biggest selling point. When Bankrate analyzed USPS data and conducted a nationwide poll, several clear trends were evident:
- People moved to smaller cities or less-dense neighborhoods.
- Lower cost of living was a major motivator.
- 31% moved to be closer to family/friends.
- 27% wanted more affordable living.
- 21% relocated for their job.
- 18% needed more space.
- 17% wanted a different climate.
- 17% moved because they now have the option to work remotely from anywhere.
To take advantage of these trends, highlight whatever fits: the size of your rental properties, the green space in your complex, lightning-fast Wi-Fi, affordability, or major employers in the immediate area.
2. Offer Virtual Apartment Tours
If they can’t see their prospective new home in person, renters want to know what they’re getting into. Virtual apartment tours are a great way to introduce your property, show off the amenities, and answer frequently asked questions. Everybody wants to know about closet space!
3. Offer Lots of Online Content
Renters are naturally going to use the web to narrow down their search. Therefore, your website should offer tons of content about the apartments, the property, and the local area. The more you can tell them about the area they are considering, the longer they will stay on your site. Ideas for articles include:
- Your property amenities, with lots of great photos. Remember, green space is a selling point. Highlight your landscaping.
- What’s within walking distance? Let residents know if they can walk to restaurants, nail salons, churches, schools, or stores. Walkability might be a welcome perk if they’re coming from a big city to a more rural area.
- Nearby employers. Potential residents may want to know if there are plants, tech companies, or other major employers who are always looking for help.
- Nearby parks and natural attractions. People fleeing the big city often want to know where they can immerse themselves in nature. Being outdoors is healthy for everyone! List walking trails, natural springs, national parks, zoos, scenic drives…anything that attracts tourists and locals alike.
- The culture. Let prospective renters in on the action if your property is close to an active scene, whether music, art, or culinary.
- Children’s attractions. Don’t forget the kids! Make a list of fun things for kids within about 30 miles. Include indoor activities like bowling and trampoline venues, science centers, zoos, aquariums, theme parks, playgrounds, movie theaters, and more.
- Area history. People love to know about the historical aspects of the area or the buildings.
Well-written content helps you in three ways: Your website will come up higher during an apartment search. When people search to learn about the area, your website will come up. And lots of content will keep them engaged on your site for a longer time.
4. Local Incentives
Cities and states are jumping on a growing trend: offering incentives to attract well-educated remote workers. Find out if there are incentives in your area that apply to relocating renters, and let potential out-of-state renters know!
Additionally, connect locally when possible. If a business near you offers relocation help, they may need transitional apartments for incoming workers. The beauty of an arrangement with a local employer is that some of the short-term tenants may choose to become long-term tenants.
5. Recommend Easy-to-Access Move-in Resources
We all know moving is a pain. There are a million details to arrange at your new place while packing, making moving arrangements, saying goodbye, and generally uprooting your entire life. So, anything you can do to make life easier for out-of-state renters is a nice perk. Put a full welcome package online with details about services such as electric, water, and cable/internet options. Include details about renter’s insurance, trash pickup services, pest control, parking, concierge package acceptance, and any other services your apartment property offers.
Move-in resources don’t have to stop at helpful tips. Consider financial incentives for non-local renters too. When vacancies are high, incentives are a big draw. Consider a first month’s free rent deal, $100 off move-in costs, or security deposit waivers for qualified clients. It will be worth it if it earns you long-term renters.
6. Write Enticing Online Listings
Online listing sites may seem like a no-brainer entry in the “how to rent out an apartment” playbook, but some rental property managers don’t bother to take control of their own listings. Check regularly to make sure your listings are attractive and up-to-date on sites like Zillow, ForRent.com, Apartments.com, Apartmentguide.com, Apartmentfinder.com, and the rest. Online listings are often the first stop for renters getting ready to move, so to attract out-of-state renters, you want your listing to stand out from the rest.
7. Offer Online Leasing and Rent Payment Options
Renters from out of state need convenience. An online leasing portal that allows them to reserve an apartment and pay rent and bills online makes moving a lot easier, especially for techies used to doing everything online.
A virtual tenant portal with ability to pay rent online is also a huge selling point for out-of-state renters. Digital rent payments eliminate the need to mail or drop off physical payment and allows renters to pay early. This type of easy-to-use digital access alleviates stress on potential renters trying to navigate the logistics of signing leases and paying security deposits if they still haven’t completed their relocation (and aids in collecting rent on time).
8. Use Storytelling to Connect
Your property is more than just a place to sleep. It has a vibe and a personality all its own. Build your brand on social media and on your website to introduce out-of-town renters to the property and your brand. Make living in your rentals attractive with tenant photos and stories, planned activities, and highlighting why people love living there.
9. Scope Your Competition
Find out what other popular apartments in your area offer. If your competition has a waiting list and you don’t, there’s a reason. You may need to adjust your pricing, start accepting pets (and build some pet amenities, like a dog wash station and a dog park), or put in a coffee bar and co-working stations. Popular selling points change over time, so make sure what you offer answers the current trend.
10. Offer Short-Term or Monthly Leases
People looking for out-of-state rentals may be in the market to buy a house or may be unsure whether they want to live in the area. Short-term leasing gives them the opportunity to check out the area without making a big commitment. Ideally, you want long-term renters, but the goal is to keep your property at capacity, right?
11. Communication is Key
To attract renters from out of state, landlords need to be accessible. Potential renters will have a lot of questions, and some of them will seem trivial. Your staff needs to have the answers and be responsive before and after they move in. Good communication will also help you reduce tenant turnover.
Out-of-state renters want to work with landlords or leasing companies that are organized, efficient, and prioritize customer service. If you work with or are a part of a property management company, make sure you always prioritize the renter over profits. Sure, you need money to run your business. But you need renters to make money. It is absolutely possible to be a great landlord and still earn money—so whether you’re part of a larger company or managing your own properties, don’t lose sight of the importance of customer service.
So, Why Attract Out-of-State Renters? It’s Easy & Smart!
To recap, attracting out-of-state renters means putting enticing info online for them to find and making the rental process super easy. Renters are more inclined to make a decision when they can find all the info they need and take care of all the paperwork in advance online.
In addition, all your advertising and listings should be current, informative, and loaded with attractive photos and enticing copy. The more homier and inviting you can make your property look, the more people will want to move in. Expanding your rental market might take some up-front work but can ultimately lead to some of the best tenants you can find. Right now, renters are on the move. Remote work has led to mass relocations and starting fresh in a new city. As a landlord, be a helpful resource rather than a foreboding opponent only interested in putting bodies in apartments.
For more property management news and tips, visit the Boiler Room Blog. Need water heaters? Reliable Water Services specializes in renting water heater equipment for apartment buildings. Let us help today!
