Best Online Platforms to List Investment Properties
You’ve completed your fix-and-flip, or you’re ready to sell your income-producing property–now what? Finding the right listing platform is crucial for maximizing exposure and generating as many leads as possible, ultimately helping you sell your property quickly and efficiently. Today, we’re discussing why finding the right platform matters, what to look for, and some of the best free and paid online platforms to list investment properties. Read along to learn more!
Contents of This Article:
- Why Choosing the Right Platform Matters
- What to Look for in a Listing Platform
- Best Free Platforms to List Investment Properties
- Best Paid Platforms to List Investment Properties
- How to Create a Good Property Listing
- A Good Investment Starts With the Right Lender
Why Choosing the Right Platform Matters
Baltimore hard money lenders know that not all listing platforms are created equal, especially when it comes to investment properties. The right platform helps you find and reach your target audience, whether that’s other investors, buyers, or long-term tenants.
That said, the platform you choose can also impact how quickly your property sells or rents, how much exposure it gets, and what kind of offers you receive. So, choosing the right one helps ensure your property stands out in a crowded market and attracts serious, qualified buyers or renters.
A poorly chosen platform, on the other hand, can lead to wasted time, limited visibility, and missed opportunities. That’s why it’s crucial to understand your goals and match them with the platform that best supports them and your property.
What to Look for in a Listing Platform
If you’re ready to list your investment property, it’s important to know what to look for in a listing platform. After all, you want to have the most exposure possible so you can attract the right buyers or tenants quickly. Here are a few key features to consider.
- User Traffic- High-traffic sites increase visibility for your property and can help you close faster. That said, the more traffic a platform gets, the more leads you’re bound to receive.
- Investor Focus- Some platforms are geared specifically for real estate investors. These are best if you’re marketing a rental property, flip, or income-producing property and want to reach other investors.
- Listing Costs- While many sites offer free listings, some charge a fee for premium features or higher visibility. So, you’ll want to consider your budget and whether or not the platform justifies the cost.
- Ease of Use- A good listing platform should be easy to use. That said, you should look for tools that make it easy to upload photos, write a strong description, and manage inquiries without a hassle.
- Support and Tools- Some platforms offer helpful extras like analytics, marketing tools, or customer support. That said, these features can make your listing more effective and save you time during the selling or leasing process.
Best Free Platforms to List Investment Properties
If you’re looking to maximize exposure without spending money upfront, there are several free platforms where you can list investment properties. Here are a few of the top options to consider.
Zillow
Zillow is a top platform for both renters and buyers, making it a great free place to list investment properties. With Zillow Rental Manager, you can create a detailed listing that links to Trulia and HotPads, giving you a wider reach. This platform also offers tools for screening tenants and managing applications, all in one place. It’s great for rental owners looking to promote their single-family or small multi-unit rentals.
Apartments.com
If you’re looking to list your rental property, Apartments.com is another site many renters go to first. This platform offers a clean interface, filtering tools, and the option to sink to sites like ApartmentFinder. It’s free to post basic listings, and paid options are available for boosted exposure.
Craigslist
Craigslist may be basic, but it still draws a large local audience of people looking for housing. It’s an excellent option for quick, no-cost listings in competitive rental markets. While it doesn’t offer advanced tools or filters, it gives you complete control over your post and communication with potential tenants or buyers. If you use this platform, make sure to include plenty of detail and clear contact information to filter out any potential spam.
Facebook Marketplace
Like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace is another simple tool that allows you to list properties quickly and efficiently. It’s highly effective for reaching local renters or buyers who are actively browsing the platform. Communication is also streamlined through the Facebook Messenger app, making it easy to respond to inquiries in real-time. You can also boost listings with paid ads if you want more visibility.
Trulia
Trulia is part of the Zillow network, meaning your Zillow listing will automatically appear on Trulia as well. It stands out with helpful neighborhood data, including school ratings, walkability scores, and crime maps. This added context can attract buyers or renters who want to learn more about the area without doing too much digging. With that, it’s a great bonus for investors targeting long-term tenants.
Best Paid Platforms to List Investment Properties
If you’re looking to sell your property and want maximum exposure, there are several paid platforms that offer enhanced tools, increased visibility, and expanded investor reach. Here are some of the top platforms to consider if you plan to list investment properties.
Redfin
Redfin offers high traffic and national exposure, but you must work with a Redfin agent or an MLS service to list a property. However, it’s worth it because Redfin has a sleek, user-friendly interface and also syncs to other major real estate sites. It’s ideal for selling residential investment properties, especially to retail buyers or small-scale investors.
Crexi
Another paid platform you can use to list investment properties is Crexi. This site is great for commercial real estate listings, including multifamily, mixed-use, land, and retail properties. It also offers built-in marketing tools, lead management, and data analytics to help target serious buyers. While professionals primarily use it, individual sellers can also benefit from its investor-focused audience and detailed listing options.
Realtor.com
As one of the largest real estate websites in the U.S., Realtor.com provides massive exposure for properties listed through the MLS. While you typically have to work with an agent, the platform is excellent for residential investment properties, appealing to both retail buyers and investors. That said, their paid listing options and promotion tools also help properties gain more attention.
LoopNet
LoopNet is another top platform for listing commercial and income-generating properties. It’s widely used by brokers and investors looking for multifamily, office, or retail opportunities. This site’s advanced search filters, high-quality listing pages, and link with CoStar make it a great choice for serious sellers.
Houzeo
Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS listing service that allows sellers to get their property on the MLS without hiring a full-service agent. It’s a great middle ground for investors who want wide exposure through Realtor.com, Zillow, and Redfin without paying traditional agent commissions. Houzeo also offers digital tools for managing showings, offers, and disclosures.
How to Create a Good Property Listing
A strong listing can make all the difference when it comes to attracting serious buyers or tenants. That said, a good listing has great photos, a well-written description, and clear contact information. Here’s how to create a listing that attracts leads.
- Write a Compelling Headline- Your title should stand out, as that’s what will make people click on your listing. Include key details like property type, location, and a standout feature. For example, “Turnkey Duplex in Prime Downtown Location.”
- Use High-Quality Photos- Photos are the first thing people will notice, so make them count. Use natural lighting, clean spaces, and include exterior, interior, and maybe even neighborhood shots.
- Highlight the Property’s Potential- If you’re targeting other investors, you’ll want to mention potential rental income, occupancy rates, and recent upgrades in the listing. This could be a huge selling point.
- Include Key Details- Include the square footage of the property, number of units, bedrooms, bathrooms, lot size, and any unique amenities. This is basic information that any interested buyer is going to want.
- Write a Strong Description- Your listing description should be well-written, including key information like the value, location, condition, and what makes it a great investment. Use persuasive language and tell the property’s story.
- Include Accurate Pricing- Whether it’s a sale price or monthly rent, be upfront and honest with the price. After all, a well-priced property gets more views and leads than one that’s vague or overpriced.
- Add Contact Information- At the end of your listing description, add your contact information so that prospective buyers can call or email you to ask questions about the property.
A Good Investment Starts With the Right Lender
Knowing how and where to list investment properties is crucial, especially if you’re counting on selling your property to pay off a loan. Today, we reviewed why finding the right platform matters, what to look for, several free and paid options, and how to create a good property listing. However, a successful investment project starts with the right lender.
If you’re looking to invest in a short-term rental project, like a fix-and-flip, or you need bridge financing, a hard money loan may be right for you. Maryland Hard Money Lenders offers loans for all types of investments. Learn more about our lending process or fill out our initial loan application today!
