Mutual Expectations Talk for Housemates
It is important to discuss a wide variety of details with any prospective housemate before you each know if the living arrangement will be a good...
3 min read
Silvernest Team
:
Jan 15, 2020 10:30:00 AM
What makes your house “home?” Is it the memories you’ve made in the surrounding neighborhood or city? Are you still enamored by a favorite feature? Do you find yourself daydreaming in a particularly comfortable spot? For many homeowners, the answers to these questions come naturally. And yet, it can be difficult to communicate those answers in a way that will turn a potential housemate’s head.
The description you choose for your Silvernest listing is a chance to sell potential renters on the opportunity to share your home. It’s a crucial first impression we recommend you spend some time on, and we’re here to help. Here are five steps to make your homeshare listing stand out from the crowd.
Whether you're listing space for rent on Silvernest or another site, your listing description should cover the following at minimum:
Here are some solid examples from Silvernest listings:
Photos can truly make or break a listing. Take a cue from any real estate website—tidiness and good lighting make the difference between so-so and desirable. Here are some quick tips for taking photos that make your space as rent-able as possible:
To make your listing friendly and welcoming, focus on the positive wherever possible.
Instead of... |
Say: |
3 bedroom floorplan. My room is upstairs and the room I'm renting is downstairs. Very private and quiet. |
I’m offering one of three bedrooms, located downstairs from my own for maximum privacy and quietness. |
Large bedroom, possibly furnished with large storage area. |
You’ll have plenty of room for storage in this large bedroom. I’m open to discuss furnished options as well. |
Brand new floors, kitchen and living conditions. All areas of the house are shared (besides bedrooms). |
All parts of our home (besides bedrooms) are available as common areas, including a recently renovated kitchen with brand new floors. |
To help get you started, here are a few prompts to consider using while writing your description:
Add some spice to your listing. What is unique about your home and the neighborhood? What flexibility can you offer? For example, if there’s an option for the renter’s bedroom to come furnished, put that here!
We’ve seen homeowners include several amenities that caught our eyes and the eyes of their future roommates. Here are a few examples that were especially successful:
Taking these steps will help you put your best foot forward to attract the interest of renters and find the best possible housemate match. After all, sharing your home is a very personal thing to do. Compatibility helps ensure that your home can become theirs, too. For more tips and resources for finding a compatible housemate, visit www.silvernest.com or check out our blog post on the topic: Finding A Compatible Housemate: The First 10 Things to Consider.
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