We often get questions from members on how to create effective home rental and exchange listings. While each listing will have its own unique characteristics, there are a few basics to follow that will get your listing noticed and inspire others to send you inquiries.

It is also helpful to take a look at other listings in your area to compare prices, pictures and descriptions. You may see interesting features you’ll want to include in your listing. Here are a few key areas to make sure you have created an effective listing.

1. Post Your Home Listing well in Advance of Start Dates

Many potential tenants and home exchangers are looking for homes 3 to 6 months ahead of time. You’ll put yourself in a good position for qualified inquiries if you have your listing posted and visible at least 3 months prior to your first start date.

For some longer-term home exchanges, members will post their home closer to 6 months in advance. This gives them enough time to send inquiries to other home exchange listings and find the right match.

2. Ensure Current Availability Dates

Whether you are creating a new listing or renewing a listing, the first place to start is to include current availability dates, including your selected Minimum Stay. You could miss out on a potential match simply due to outdated availability.

A few important things to know:

• You have the ability to add up to 3 Availability Date ranges
• Minimum Stay affects how your listing appears in search results as search results only show home listings that a guest could actually book:
  • If you set a long minimum stay (for example, 6 months), your home will only appear to guests who are looking for at least 6 months. Anyone searching for 1–3 months will never see your listing.
  • If you set a shorter minimum stay (for example, 1 or 2 months), your home can appear to many more guests, both those looking for short stays and those looking for longer ones. Guests who want to stay longer can still book; the short minimum just keeps your listing visible to more people.
• Selecting Flexible Dates means your listing can be available up to 1 week before the start date or up to 1 week after the end date
• After you Announce or Confirm a Match, you will need to update your availability manually (or mark your listing Hidden if it is no longer available)

Note: If all your home listing’s date ranges are outdated (for any reason, including a Minimum Stay that does not work with your availability dates), your listing will NOT be shown in search results. You will receive several notifications to update your availability dates, and when you log in to My Listings, you will see the dates in red text that are outdated. This will need to be updated for your listing to display in search results again.

Related: How do I make Sure My Home Listing Shows up in Search Results?

3. Include Great Pictures in a Horizontal Format

First and foremost, use great pictures. Choose your “featured” picture carefully as that will be the first picture seen in search results by prospective guests. Generally, a photo of your favorite part of your home will do well. SabbaticalHomes allows up to 10 photos per listing so make the most of them.

Be sure to show the kitchen and living room, any home office space, bedrooms and bathrooms. If you have a yard or outdoor space, include this in your photo array. Whatever you would be looking for in a temporary home, chances are, so will your tenants.

Before taking your photos, do a walk-through of your home to clean off countertops, tables and bathrooms of anything that looks messy. While SabbaticalHomes members appreciate a home that’s comfortable and lived in, no one really wants to envision themselves staying in a place with their hosts piles of paperwork!

When creating your listing, you will be able to select a 1-photo or a 3-photo display. Generally, it works best to select the 3-photo display so other members can see more pictures when they first see your listing detail. However, if you happen to have one beautiful horizontal image, you may want to consider the 1-photo layout. Whichever layout you choose, members will be able to click on the “See all photos” button.

Related: Photo Tips for Home Listings

4. Write an Interesting Title & Description

Next, write an interesting title and description. If there is a unique feature to your home, list that first. Examples of this would be:

• Great City View
• Private Garden
• Walk to Metro
• Secluded Get-Away
• Award-winning School District

Another approach is to list the location, such as:

• Minutes from MIT Campus
• Near the Sea and Sand
• On Bike Trail
• Florence Hills Country Villa
• Convenient Manhattan Loft

Be sure to list the best features of the home. This would include location highlights such as proximity to restaurants and shops, universities, and public transportation. A mention of the kitchen, baths and laundry amenities is key. Always let your prospective tenants know if there is a yard, garden, or parking for their use.

Many members appreciate being able to walk around the neighborhood where they’ll be staying, so include routes that are a nice walk around your home.

5. Don’t Overlook Unique Features

Don’t overlook the opportunity to “sell” your property as you complete the detail sections of the listing. List all the Amenities, especially those not included in your primary description. Use Surroundings to focus on the neighborhood, cultural spots nearby, types of shops and restaurants, parks, and local events.

It is important to be honest about the condition of your home. For example, a modern kitchen in Europe may not be the same thing in the United States. Your home doesn’t have to be perfect, just be as clear as possible. Also, be up front about any Rules and Expectations so that there are no surprises when it comes time to sign the lease or contract.

Related: Helpful Questions to Ask Prospective Tenants

6. Updating Existing Listings

Refreshing your listing every few weeks with small updates keeps it active and appealing. Even minor changes can improve its position in search results. Visitors can also see how recently a listing was updated, so staying current shows that your information is accurate and up to date.

In the situation where you have decreased the price of your listing, add that your Listing Title or Description (as someone who passed by the first time may take a second look), especially as you may be actively looking for guests with an impending deadline.

Whenever you have renewed a listing, take a look through your listing and update availability dates, add any new photos and double check that all the information you originally used is still current.

Lastly, if you have done any renovations, take pictures and upload those to the site. A fresh look to the listing can attract more inquiries.

Related: Listing Management Frequently Asked Questions

Keep in mind, the SabbaticalHomes.com Team is always available for assistance as well, just contact us via email with your questions. The more specific you can be, the quicker we can help you!

by Sara Pritzkat

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