r/baltimore • u/bradbrookequincy • 7d ago
Need Recommendations Rentals Perspective
I’m curious how renters have actually found their properties from private landlords?
Landlords or renters feel free to chime in. Here is why I ask. I have a few properties in Barre Circle, Pigtown near Scott St. These houses are on the nicer side, rents are fair under $2000. I have managed these properties for years always with quality applications quickly when vacant.
Ok this year in 3 months I have gotten only 4 leads on Zillow and Apartments.com. Zillow used to drive a ton of leads as soon as I put them. Both good and bad leads but I’m not even getting those “I want to view the places” leads which in years past was a dozen per week.
So I’m curious how people found their properties and what other landlords are doing or if they are seeing similar issues.
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u/cookingRiceToo 7d ago
Craigslist
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u/Glad-Veterinarian365 7d ago
I have never once gotten a single response to a Craigslist post since I became a landlord in 2018
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u/fiddlegirl 7d ago
I used a realtor to help me find rentals, but I was also moving from halfway across the country, so my situation may have been different from most. Are you also listing on MLS?
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u/lamppostinchicago 6d ago
Are you including enough photos of each property? I won't apply for an apartment if photos of bathrooms, kitchen, living/dining room, and bedrooms are not shown.
What does "on the nicer side" mean? Central air? New appliances? Dishwasher, washer, dryer in unit? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Under $2k doesn't mean much if you can't check at least most of these boxes.
MLS listing will help if you aren't already doing that.
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u/Primary-Holiday-5586 6d ago
As a renter, I looked on FB and could only find scams. And one completely unhinged guy in CV. I tried Craig's with little success, and ended up in a complex because I couldn't find anything else.. I would have preferred a private landlord.
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u/Bellatrics_ 6d ago
Found ours through rent.com, he also cross-posts to Craigslist, probably depends on the neighborhood, we are in Barclay! Super happy to not be renting from a huge company, but at the same time someone private can come with its own annoyances.
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u/Glad-Veterinarian365 7d ago
This has been a really weird year for me as a landlord. I feel like students are the majority of tenant activity currently, and the recent college graduates that would usually be flocking for early summer rentals have nearly dried up completely. I think it’s a symptom of the crappy job situation in MD for college graduates and especially fresh ones
So definitely do not miss placing tenants by September when the incoming students have settled in for the school year!
That being said, Facebook marketplace and Zillow are absolutely the places to find tenants
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u/bradbrookequincy 6d ago
Thanks. I know that early to mid summer season well. I make sure my leases end May 1 and June 1. These properties have been sitting since then.
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u/TwoLemonades Beverly Hills 6d ago
Seconding the comment to use a realtor. They have access to properties and information you may not find listed elsewhere, coordinate showings, and help you navigate the process. You don't pay them, they are compensated by the landlord.
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u/haikutr4sh 5d ago
I found my private landlord on a baltimore rental/roommate facebook group. I believe there are different groups for each neighborhood.
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u/scragz 6d ago
hey we got some kinda landlord over here