I'm thinking of creating a basic website with photos & text about the property for rent, and a PDF file of the rental application so that they can download and print.

The answer will depend upon what you want to use the website for.

If you are thinking you will rank #1 in google and draw a lot of people who aren't seeing your listings now then forget it.

If you are wanting to use it as an information hub, then yes, it can be very useful.

Here are some of the things I use mine for:

- reminding people which property they inquired about. When I reply to an inquiry through Zillow or Trulia, I always include a link to my website in the text or e-mail I send them

- letting them know what other properties are available. When they go to the site, they will see a list of everything that's for rent.

- redundant question answering. Do you allow pets? Here's a link to our pet policy. What does it take to rent the place? Here's a link to our basic requirements.

Thanks Tim!

Do they input sensitive info (ss#, birthdate) on your jotform or do you get that separately from them?

Also how do they sign the online application?

David, do you have luck getting them to download and print the application and fill it out before the showing?

I've had a lot of people tell they were unable to print the application, when I've emailed the application to them.

Yes, a website is very worthwhile to me. I have forms for Showing, Application, and Maintenance and those all directly email to me. I can get sensitive info over the phone or by other means but get everything else I need via the form.

I like having a website because it presents a more professional image of our company. It also serves to reinforce the "I'm the Manager, not the Owner" message we promote.

We've had a website since we started this business 12 years ago and while it is not used very much I do believe it provides some benefit.

We are in a very competitive rental market with a disproportionate number of millennials. This segment expects businesses to have a public profile. Their very first activity whether for renting or buying is the internet and most especially social media. Look at your your market and competition which should help you decide if you need a website.

We rarely have any activity on our website unless we are actively advertising a property for rent. From the first day we begin advertising to roughly two weeks after we take our ad down (property rented) we attract over 2,500 visitors. Which for a website with zero SEO that is a lot of traffic.

While I have only had one person actually complete an online application people are clearly going there to scope out the property and our "creds". We get a number of phone calls to find out when other properties on our site will be available but since our average tenant has been with us 5.8 years I can rarely answer that.

What is surprising is the number of people who ask to be put on a call list when any or a specific property becomes vacant. I have rented 4 properties that way without ever having to advertise them.

The site contains the basics: property pictures with a brief description of the property, points of interest in the area and a google map for location. We never put the rent or rent range for any occupied property believing that tenants do not want that information to be made public. When a property does become vacant we will list the price and promptly remove it once it is under contract.

We have a section that discusses the application process, costs, a fillable PDF application form which when completed can be faxed or emailed directly to us. We also have some downloadable pamphlets on Security Deposits, Working with Realtors, Tenants Rights and NC Tenant Landlord laws.

If you do decide to create a website here are my suggestions:

*Have a clear understanding of your expectations and

what you hope to gain from having a website

*Keep it simple

*If you are tech oriented use a rental property template

(I suggest GoDaddy for domain and wordpress websites -

their tech dept.is excellent Another option is Wix)

*Keep it current.

Thanks again.

Website is a MUST HAVE.

No pdf for application, use jotform.

Must have videos and photos. Tons of info.

Thanks, I won't do it if I can't find a way for them to also pay online. That would kind of defeat the purpose.

Someone here before said Square was a good way to have them pay online.

J,

MOST of our applications are completed online thru our website.

A few years ago the stats showed 95% of folks shopping for a home START online.

Millennials (33% of the market) and iGeneration (now up to 20 years old and entering the real world) do NOT want to talk to a person, let alone a middle aged landlord.

My 30 yo son said "If I cannot do it on my iPad I don't do it", referring to shopping for an apt and/or buying something.

Many people do not have working printers or Adobe PDF won't load on their computer so a PDF is ineffective. They still have to take time to fill it out and deliver it somehow somewhere.

Key to losing in business: don't have a website.

BRAD

J,

Here's a thought to put this in perspective:

I want to build a house. Should I use a nailgun?

Brad, when you say "they don't want to talk to a person" does that mean you are not doing pre-screening on the phone or email anymore?

Have them fill out an application on line. You look over to see if passed first sniff test. Then start start digging and spending time to see if they past the muster. Seems like every one wants to jump in real deep right off the bat on here.

Thanks, but I don't know if if I want them to have the ability to fill out an application online and pay the app fee before they physically come to the rental first to see if they like it and/or talk to me.

J, I agree with not having random apps coming in until they have viewed properties. Seems a little more management intensive to me. Especially if they pay a fee and don't pass an app at all or pay a fee and I've already accepted an app. I don't want to get into returning a bunch of app fees.

NE,

What worries me about it is a lot of them don't read the ad thoroughly. So someone who doesn't actually want to move 4 months from now might go ahead and apply online without communicating with me first and then be angry at me because they paid an application fee for no reason. And other things could go wrong too.

It seems like the best way is to not give them the the website info for the online application until after they've met with you to see the place in person.

A PDF will work you just need to make it a fillable PDF. Once it is completed they hit submit and it is emailed to you.

I have had a website for years and have only had 1 person actually complete an app online.

After scheduling an open house I do get a large percentage who ask me to email them the application so they can complete it before they arrive.

I also rarely speak to anyone prior to the open house since most are millennials and Brad is correct they want to do as much as possible without actually talking to you.