Marketing Your Renovated Property: Tips and Strategies to Attract Tenants Fast
Learn how to attract tenants with marketing tips on your newly renovated rental property
When your rental property has just undergone a renovation, time is of the essence. Every vacant day eats into your ROI. Strategic marketing helps attract the right tenants quickly—while maximizing the return on your renovation spend. Here’s how to do it right.
1. Treat Your Property Like a Product Launch
A newly renovated unit deserves more than a rushed Kijiji post or a couple of blurry phone photos. Think of it like launching a product:
- Build anticipation: Tease the property on your company’s social media before it’s listed.
- Create a “Coming Soon” listing: Use this to build a waitlist of interested tenants before final cleanup is done.
2. Invest in Professional Photography and Videography For Rental Properties
Images are the first (and often only) impression you’ll get.
- Use wide-angle lenses to show space clearly.
- Shoot at the right time of day—natural light sells.
- Include photos of upgrades: Show the new flooring, appliances, lighting fixtures, or tilework.
- Create a virtual tour or walkthrough video: Helps reduce in-person no-shows and appeals to out-of-town renters.
Tip: Add call-outs in your photos or video—“Brand-new stainless appliances,” “Quartz countertops,” etc.
3. Write Rental Listings That Sell
Most listings bury the lead or describe upgrades generically. Instead:
- Start with what’s new: e.g., “Fully renovated 2BR with new kitchen, bathroom, and flooring.”
- Use bullet points for clarity. Example:
– Brand new kitchen with quartz countertops and soft-close cabinetry – Full bathroom remodel with rain shower and built-in shelving – Energy-efficient windows and new in-unit washer/dryer
- Include keywords tenants search for: “pet-friendly,” “parking included,” “in-unit laundry,” “close to transit,” etc.
4. Choose the Right Platforms To Promote Your Rental Property
Don’t just stick with Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Depending on your region, expand to:
Platform | Best For |
---|---|
Zillow/Rentals.ca | Serious renters looking for long-term leases |
Facebook Marketplace | Wide reach, but higher noise |
Kijiji/Craigslist | Local searchers—include lots of images |
PadMapper/TorontoRentals | Urban centres with high tenant turnover |
TikTok or Instagram Reels | Showcase before-and-afters in short video format |
Tip: Tag location-based hashtags on Instagram: #TorontoRentals #PeterboroughLiving
5. Targeted Rental Property Paid Ads
Use geo-targeted Facebook and Google Ads to promote the listing. Narrow down by:
- Location (within 10–25 km of the address)
- Demographics (age, renter profile, income level if appropriate)
- Interests (moving, apartments, student housing, etc.)
Keep ads short and visual-heavy. Example headline:
“Fully Renovated 2BR in Downtown—Brand New Kitchen, Parking Included. Available Now.”
6. Leverage Renovation Before/After Content
People love transformation stories. Use your reno photos to create content like:
- Instagram carousel: “Swipe to see the transformation”
- Blog post: “How we modernized this 70s unit for today’s renters”
- Facebook post: “This space went from outdated to move-in ready. What do you think?”
This not only builds trust but creates social proof that you maintain your properties.
7. Reputation and Reviews Matter
Even a great unit will struggle if your company has poor online reviews.
- Ask happy tenants to leave Google reviews
- Respond to all reviews, especially critical ones, showing you care and take feedback seriously
Feature positive reviews in your listings or social posts.
8. Offer Incentives That Make Sense
Early lease-up bonuses can move your unit faster. Examples:
- 1 month free on a 13-month lease
- $100 gift card for approved tenants who apply within 48 hours
- Free parking for the first 3 months
Just avoid slashing rent unless necessary. Lead with value, not desperation.
9. Use Strategic Signage and Local Outreach
If the property is on a walkable street:
- Add a “Now Leasing” sign with a text-for-info number or QR code
- Flyers in local cafés or grocery stores can still work in the right neighborhoods
10. Partner with Local Employers or Schools
If you’re near a university, hospital, or business park:
- Offer exclusive access or discounts to employees or students
- Get on employee housing boards or classified lists
Marketing rental properties after a renovation is more than just showing it’s clean and new. You need to position the space, communicate the upgrades, and make it easy for tenants to imagine themselves living there. With the right strategy, your renovated unit won’t sit empty for long.