When tenants unexpectedly break their lease early, filling the vacant rental quickly is crucial for landlords in Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, and surrounding areas to minimize lost income. Having a rapid response plan allows you to act swiftly when vacancies arise.
In this guide, we'll explore 10 proven strategies to get unexpected vacancies in Des Moines, Urbandale, Grimes, and surrounding metro cities occupied again with minimal delays. Follow these best practices to bounce back faster when tenant departures catch you off guard.
1. Maintain Your Rental in Move-In Ready Condition
Keeping your Johnston or Clive rental property continually clean, updated, and functional between tenants means it's primed for immediate showings anytime. Tackle repairs, deep cleaning, staging, and curb appeal so it's show ready.
2. Refresh Online Listings with New Availability Dates
As soon as a vacancy pops up, update listing photos, descriptions, and availability dates on platforms like Zillow, Apartments.com, and Facebook Marketplace. Paid ads can also get it in front of more Ankeny and Polk City eyes.
3. Run Targeted Social Media Ads to Attract Vetted Renters
Leverage hyperlocal Facebook ads to swiftly attract pre-qualified interested renters in West Des Moines and throughout the metro tailored by factors like income, age, and interests. Social platforms allow precision targeting.
4. Incentivize Referrals from Your Current Des Moines Metro Tenants
Offer existing tenants enticing bonuses like gift cards or rent credits for referrals that lead to filling your vacancy. Satisfied renters are great organic sources.
5. List the Vacancy with Des Moines Metro Area Employers
Contact HR departments at major local employers about circulating your listing to new hires or transferees. This targets newcomers seeking rentals in Urbandale or Ankeny, etc.
6. Highlight Availability Consistently Across Marketing Efforts
Update your website, social posts, email newsletters, print ads, yard signs, and all listings by emphasizing the unit's immediate availability for quick move-in.
7. Offer Flexible Lease Terms to Secure Tenants Faster
Entice West Des Moines renters by offering shorter 6-month leases or month-to-month terms at first. Once occupied, encourage longer commitments.
8. Process Applications Swiftly to Lock-In Qualified Applicants
Use online applications and coordinate faster screening to process submissions the same or the next day. Acting quickly helps secure approved tenants faster.
9. Sweeten the Deal with Move-In Incentives
Offer a month of free rent, gift cards to local businesses, or other enticing perks for those who can move in quickly. Added value helps fill units faster.
10 . Be Flexible on Timing to Accommodate Renter Circumstances
If the unit is empty by the 1st, but prospects need until the 15th, find ways to work with suitable applicants to get it occupied quickly.
Having a rapid response plan tailored to the greater Des Moines metro rental market allows you to bounce back faster when unexpected departures leave you with a sudden vacancy. Reach out to discuss our proven system for filling empty units in record time across Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, and surrounding cities.
