5 Rental Property Marketing Hacks to Stand Out

Finding tenants isn’t usually the hard part. Quickly finding good tenants without racing to the bottom on price is where most rental listings fall short.

Scroll through any rental site and you’ll see the problem right away. Dozens of similar listings all blur together with the same photos and vague descriptions. They all use the same “great location!” language that tells renters absolutely nothing. It’s a sea of sameness. And if your property looks like everything else, you’ll force prospects to choose based on price alone.

Thankfully, standing out doesn’t require gimmicks or massive renovations. You just have to make smarter marketing choices. Understanding this, here are five rental property marketing hacks that actually move the needle – with real examples of how to use them well.

Market the Lifestyle

Most listings describe square footage, bedrooms, and appliances. Renters skim those details because every listing has them. What they’re really asking is, What will my life look like here?

Instead of leading with features, lead with the experience and feeling. If your property is near a walking trail, describe a Saturday morning coffee walk. If it’s close to downtown, talk about walking to dinner or avoiding traffic. If it’s in a quiet neighborhood, paint the picture of evenings without noise or parking stress. You get the idea.

The more specific you can be, the better. For example, don’t say: “Two-bedroom apartment with updated kitchen.” Instead, try something like: “A two-bedroom layout that gives you a real home office plus a separate living space – no desk in the bedroom required.”

You want to help renters imagine themselves living in the property on a daily basis. If you can get them into that frame of mind, it becomes so much easier to get good tenants interested in the property (and, ultimately, to sign a lease).

Use Fewer (Better) Photos

More photos don’t automatically mean better marketing. In fact, cluttered photo galleries often do the opposite. Strong rental listings use fewer images, with each one having a clear purpose.

Lighting starts with lighting. Natural light is non-negotiable. Shoot during the brightest part of the day, turn on lamps, and open every blind and curtain.

Always think about sequence. Your first photo should be the emotional hook – not a hallway or exterior corner. Lead with the most attractive, livable space. The kitchen, living room, or a bright main area usually works best.

Avoid wide-angle distortion that makes rooms feel artificial. Renters want accuracy. Do your best to remove visual noise, including trash cans, cords, clutter, and personal items all distract from the space itself.

If your photos don’t make someone stop scrolling, nothing else in the listing matters. You have to get them to pause long enough to read the details and picture themselves in the property. Having a good property manager with a professional photographer on staff can help you get great pictures at an affordable price.

Write Like You’re Talking to One Ideal Tenant

Many listings try to appeal to everyone. That usually means they resonate with no one. Instead, think about who your property is best suited for and write directly to that person.

A small apartment near nightlife may appeal to someone who values convenience and social access, while a suburban single-family home may attract renters prioritizing space and stability.

Always lead with relevance when speaking to tenants. For example, instead of: “Great for families or professionals,” try: “If you work from home and want separation between work and life, this layout gives you flexibility without wasted space.”

Add Context Renters Can’t Get From Photos

While photos might show what a place looks like, they can’t always show how it feels to live there. This is where your listing can quietly outperform others. You should include details renters care about but rarely see mentioned:

How sound carries between units
Where parking actually is and how easy it is
How quickly maintenance requests are handled
What utilities typically cost
Whether the unit stays cool in summer or warm in winter

For example, saying “quiet building” is vague, while saying “top-floor unit with no shared bedroom walls” is useful. Do your best to answer the questions renters are already asking in their heads.

Treat the Listing Like a Funnel

Most landlords publish a listing and wait. But we’ve noticed that the strongest marketers guide renters through a process that starts with a clear call to action. They tell people exactly what to do next. Rather than just having a “contact us” button, they have clear text and graphics that encourage the prospective tenant to send a message or schedule a showing. Then they reduce friction by making it easy to apply.

Set Your Listings Apart
At the end of the day, standing out doesn’t have to mean using flashy language or tricks. You just have to show that you understand your audience and have a property that will check off all of their needs and at least a few of their wants. If you do that, you’ll never have trouble attracting good tenants.