3 Tips on How to Market Your Basement Apartment

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If you have a basement apartment, you may have found that it is a tough sell for renters. But getting people interested in your basement apartment is just a matter of knowing how to show it off and highlight its true potential.

Give your basement apartment a boost with these three top marketing tips.

1. Revamp the Space and Stage It to Show Its Potential

The image many people have of a basement apartment is a cold, dark space that has never gotten a lot of love. That doesn’t actually need to be the reality though! Show off how cozy and welcoming a basement apartment really can be by revamping the space.

There are tons of ways you can brighten up and refresh a basement apartment. First off, try installing a separate entrance. Many homeowners forget the importance of this key home feature. With a new door that’s separate from the main entrance to the home, this will make the space feel more like its own, fully independent, and finished apartment — not just an addition to an existing house.

You also might try redoing the floors. Changing cold concrete for carpet or wood can make the space feel much warmer.

You can consider changing the walls and ceilings as well. A coat of paint can go a long way, as can some improved lighting to make the apartment feel bright. Stage the apartment with some attractive furniture that can show off the utility of the space and its storage options. If people are worried the apartment might be a bit too cozy, you can allay those fears by staging it with smaller furniture that shows off its true potential. Additionally, mirrors and reflective surfaces can do a great job at bouncing light throughout the space to make it look bigger.

2. Fix Your Listings Online

The internet is undoubtedly going to be the best way to show off and market your basement apartment. That’s why you should make sure your internet listing is as effective and informative as possible. You will find tenants more quickly if your advertising hits the right beats.

There are several great sites for advertising a basement apartment. This includes popular options like Zillow, Realtor.com, and even Craigslist. But everyone know about those. There are also other places online where you can market effectively.

For example, don’t overlook the power of social media while you’re marketing your basement apartment. More and more, people are looking to their Facebook or Twitter timelines when making purchases, including apartments. The Facebook Marketplace will allow you to make a listing for free so you can get your basement apartment seen by more people.

While writing the ad itself, highlight the best things about your basement apartment and be careful about your language choices. Instead of using phrases like “small,” call the space cozy. Highlight upgrades you’ve made, such as new flooring or fresh paint. If the unit has its own kitchen, laundry room, or living room, those are great amenities to mention in your listing. Other features, including the fact that it’s a non-smoking household, can be another great pull for tenants.

Don’t stop at the boundaries of the apartment itself, though. You can also highlight local amenities when you create your listing. Access to your yard or pool can be a desirable feature, but nearby amenities are just as important. For example, everyone should be getting a dental checkup every six months. If you are located near a dentist or other healthcare professionals, say so in your listing! Same goes for other doctors, grocery stores, and other common necessities.

3. Mention Fun Local Highlights

While we’re on the top of local attractions, be sure to list everything you can. It doesn’t need to just be the ones that are useful. Potential renters want to know that this is a place where they can have fun and live life to the fullest. Make that easy for them by highlighting local attractions.

Community events and activities, like hiking, are great things to mention. Just a single mile of hiking can burn an average of 500 calories or more. That’s the sort of thing that will draw a fitness buff or outdoor enthusiast to your listing.

In that same vein, you might also mention things like local gyms, sports clubs or professional sports teams that would appeal to active people. Make the choice easy for them by telling them just how much your apartment’s location has to offer.

Not every renter is a sports fanatic, though. You should also highlight things like entertainment and fashion when you’re writing your listing. On average, women will go through roughly 150 hairstyle changes in their lives. If you’ve got great barbers and hair stylists near your apartment, mention them! Find the names of local salons and reference them in your listing. Putting together a small community guide is a great way to draw attention to your home.

You can also consider things like concert venues, bars, restaurants, and unique local attractions when you are writing your listing. Write about the surrounding neighborhood and not just the apartment itself! That way, you can get a whole batch of potential applicants for your basement listing.

This article contains general information and does not contain legal advice. Buy It, Rent It, Profit is not a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.