A renter’s search for a new apartment in the town where (or near where) they currently live usually goes something like this:

1. Decide to move.
2. Search for apartments online. Look at photos and videos. Read reviews. Call or email for more information, if needed.
3. Narrow down apartments and schedule tours.
4. Decide on new apartment or return to step 2.

Obviously, that’s overly simplified, but you get the general idea. But for renters looking for an apartment in a new city – whether they’re moving for a new job, the military or to be closer to family – the process can be a bit more complex and challenging. For one, many renters who are looking for an apartment in a new city are under tight time constraints. Plus, renters relocating to a new city don’t have the luxury of dropping by an apartment community on a whim to get a tour of available units. In many cases, their entire apartment search process has to be squeezed into one Saturday afternoon during a pre-move visit to their new city.

Apartment communities that make the search process a bit easier have the opportunity to better connect with these busy out of town renters.  Read on for some simple ways to appeal to renters who are relocating to your area. 

Provide Visual Aids
Out of town renters don’t have the luxury of touring dozens of apartment communities. Instead, they’re more likely to narrow down their choices to a few communities and schedule tours of those few apartments during a pre-move visit. Some renters moving from another city may even rent an apartment sight unseen!

What can you do to make these renters’ lives easier? Don’t just tell them what your community is like, show them! Include high quality photos and videos on your website and in your ads to set your community apart and give prospective renters a full picture of what life will be like if they choose your apartment. Photos and videos also allow out-of-town renters to get an idea of how their own furniture and belongings will fit into an apartment.

Make Rent Prices and Availability Easy to Find
Renters who are planning a move to a new city are busy people – after all, there are apartments to pack, jobs to wrap up, and farewells to be said. These renters simply don’t have time to call a long list of apartment communities just to find out about rent prices and availability. So, be sure to include these items on your website and ads to help renters who are moving to your area more easily narrow down their options. Including rent prices and availability on your website and ads is advantageous to you, too. By making this information easy for renters to find, you’ll know that the people who do call you are truly interested in your community, not just calling to inquire about rents and availability.

Include Community Reviews
When consumers are shopping for anything – whether it’s a new phone or a new home – they want to hear about other people’s experiences. Shopping for an apartment is no different. Reviews are even more important for renters who are relocating to your area because they are less likely to have friends and family in their new city who can recommend neighborhoods and communities. By including reviews on your ILS ads, you’re giving relocating renters all the information they need in one location. That way, you won’t risk these renters leaving your listing to look for that information elsewhere.  

Follow Up Quickly
Relocating renters are typically searching for a new apartment under tight deadlines. For example, they might need to find a new apartment before they start a new job in a few short weeks. So when it comes to responding to inquiries, time is of the essence. Be sure to answer phone and email inquiries as quickly as possible. If you don’t respond to renters’ questions in a timely manner, they are likely to cross your community off their list in favor of one that is more responsive. 

Do you have a large number of renters moving to your community from out of town? How do you appeal to these relocating renters?