Thank you EVERYONE for the great advice and replies - I'm overwhelmed by how helpful everyone is on here, yet again! Thank you! P.S. Sorry for the long reply ):
If they are slow in updating the ad with pictures and correct information, what ttype of response are applicants getting when they enquire?
How long do they need to wait for email replies?
Consider being an 'applicant' by emailing the RE and asking about the property, and also call and ask about viewing the property. (use a different email address and phone number, of course)
The response you receive may be the clue you need.
That's a good question - A good idea you've raised - I'll either email them myself or get someone to ring them.
I have had a similar problem in the past so go through your add and make / add the correct changes and submit some of your own photos and email that to your PM and insist they change it asap,
House will not rent without photos and especially if others have photos.
If you say you will accept outside pets,you can normally be a little dearer than the opposition.
Before reducing the rent, try offering one week free as that can be a winner as well.
Hope it rents soon
Thanks. I've seen a few other homes in the area offering the same thing, but I don't see as many now that I've checked tonight. It might be something worthwhile to look into... I just need to get some good tenants in there!
^^^ agree with comments above
- make sure it is really well advertised on re.com.au; good photos and well written, accurate description, and try anonymously contacting the agent as a potential renter - sounds like they might not be looking after your est interests for whatever reason. maybe share the web ad link on here so you can get some constructive feedback
I'm more then happy to provide the web ad link -
6 Carissa Road, Brookfield. Please help!
Photo's would be a good start. A lot of people would probably thinking its a dump or something and skipping past. Given that at the very least photos should have been taken during the final bond inspection they should have them on hand.
Is the house clean? Not smelling of cigarettes or similar? Would a quick patch up and paint job improve its appearance inside perhaps?
Do you know how many people have been through it?
You raise a valid point - I don't want people thinking that, especially since the house isn't even a year old yet!
The home is clean and doesn't smell or anything. The last tenants, when they moved out, got a professional cleaning company in to clean everything up and it looks spick and span now.
It's honestly almost all been covered here but I'll add the obvious for those who have overlooked it.
I've held property during slow periods and my wife always wants to hold out for the average return for the given area. However, if a $300 P/W property sits on the market for 1 month trying for the same $ as all the others, that's $1200 P/A gone and a simple drop of $20 P/W would possibly result in a faster uptake AND result in a lesser loss ($1040) than the other scenario of holding out for the $300 P/W average.
I always prefer to lock in a lease rather than be greedy for a couple of bucks...
(and sleepless nights)
I would rather the same thing! Fingers crossed now.
Get in touch with the Head Property Manager immediately and let him/her know that you are not happy with the performance of the PM allocated to your property. Management won't know if no-one tells them.
Demand immediate action on photos and correct listing information.
Marg
I'll give the property manager one last go before I call the Head PM - I'll try a few of the other things here, like sending an email to her from another email account and ringing up, being a renter
Like some others have said - vacancy is often linked to price. Reduce your asking rent and get someone in ASAP. Speak to your PM about when the peak periods for rentals are and try to have the next lease expire at this time - that will provide you with an opportunity to reassess (and possibly increase) the asking rent.
Cheers
Jamie
Thanks for that advice - I've always wondered when it was best to rent a home out.
I just jumped onto realestate.com.au and called up Brookfield. There is now a dozen 4 bedroom homes between $260-$290 per week; 6 at $300 per week and 4 at $310+ per week. There is also another 9 3 bedroom homes around that price. Only 1 of those houses do not have photos so I'm assuming that's yours. If it is that one, when I googled the address I came up with the previous agents ad from August 2011 which was fantastic!
When you look at Melton as a whole there is approx. 200 homes to rent.
Unfortunately it is now a renters market - prospective tenants make appointments to attend but don't show! (I know this from experience.) As you are in the agent's hands you must be able to have complete trust in what they are doing.
I'd certainly be demanding a better ad - complete with photos within 24 hours!
Yep, I just checked
The estate south of mine (Riverina) has a lost of homes that are a bit smaller (yard size and home size) that are renting for as low as $260 per week! They are smaller, but still, it shows the difference in price!
I'm in Melton if I can be of any help....ie check out their services or go to an open inspection etc.
Being a new property, you want to be a little picky with your tenants, as melton has all sorts, I dont know that your asking price is so far out there, its in the range, but I have noticed this year there are more rentals on the market than previous years, or should I say, more that are up on the rental sites for longer.
Spring/summer months are the best times to have your lease turn over, around the kids school holiday breaks is always good timing.
I have a rental in Melton as well as living here and have had first hand experience with several of the real estate agents in the area (and you really want to be listed with a local agent over a property management based elsewhere). Some I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, others change property managers way too often to get any stability, so ask/check around and make sure your doing the best for your investment in that department.
PM me if you wanna ask anything.
It's great to hear from a local! Thank you for the info! I'll send you a PM with my PM's info, see if you can highlight anything for me