How to Market Your Rental Property on Craigslist and Zillow (And Actually Get Quality Tenants)

By PropsManager Team · Leasing & Marketing · May 26, 2025

Every vacant day costs you money. On a $1,800/month rental, that's $60 a day sitting empty — roughly $420 a week you'll never get back. I've watched landlords lose thousands simply because their listing was buried under better-written ads, or worse, they posted a dimly lit cell phone photo and wondered why nobody called.

Here's the reality: roughly 72% of renters start their apartment search online, and the two platforms that still dominate are Zillow Rental Manager and Craigslist. Master both, and you'll cut your vacancy time in half. Fumble the listing, and you'll spend weeks fielding lowball offers from people who didn't even read the description.

After years of marketing rentals across both platforms, I've boiled the process down to a system that consistently fills units within 7–14 days with quality tenants who actually pay on time. Let me walk you through exactly how to do it.

Why Zillow and Craigslist Still Dominate Rental Marketing

Before we get tactical, let's talk about why these two platforms deserve the bulk of your marketing energy.

Zillow Rental Manager isn't just Zillow. When you post there, your listing automatically syndicates to Trulia, HotPads, and dozens of partner sites. That single listing gets you exposure to roughly 36 million monthly unique visitors across the network. For a free listing (you get one free per property), that's an absurd amount of reach.

Craigslist doesn't have the shiny interface, but don't underestimate it. In many markets — especially mid-size cities and college towns — Craigslist still generates more inquiries per listing than any other platform. It's particularly strong for units under $1,500/month where price-conscious renters search aggressively.

The sweet spot? Post on both. Zillow captures the search-engine traffic and mobile app users. Craigslist captures the bargain hunters and local renters who've been using it for years. Together, they cover roughly 80% of your potential tenant pool without spending a dime on paid advertising.

Photography: The Single Biggest Factor in Your Listing's Success

I can't stress this enough. Bad photos will kill your listing faster than a $200 price hike. According to Apartments.com internal data, listings with professional-quality photos receive 118% more clicks than those with amateur shots. That's not a marginal difference — it's the difference between 3 inquiries and 15.

Equipment You Actually Need

You don't need a $2,000 DSLR camera. Here's what works:

• A smartphone made after 2020. Any recent iPhone or Samsung Galaxy shoots better photos than professional cameras from ten years ago.
• A $15 clip-on wide-angle lens. This is the single best investment you'll make. It captures entire rooms in one frame instead of making your 12x14 bedroom look like a closet.
• A free editing app. Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile. Bump brightness, straighten lines, adjust white balance. Takes 30 seconds per photo.

The Shot List That Gets Results

Shoot these in order, and you'll have a complete visual story:

1. Exterior front — curb appeal shot, ideally with blue sky
2. Living room — two angles, showing windows
3. Kitchen — wide shot from the doorway, plus a close-up of countertops/appliances
4. Each bedroom — from the doorway looking in, showing the closet
5. Bathroom(s) — one wide shot each
6. Any standout features — in-unit laundry, balcony, updated fixtures, walk-in closet
7. Outdoor/common areas — parking, yard, pool, gym if applicable

Aim for 15–25 photos total. Zillow lets you upload up to 100, but tenants stop scrolling after about 20. Craigslist technically has a 24-image limit, so stay under that.

Timing and Staging Tips

Shoot between 10am and 2pm on a sunny day. Period. No amount of editing fixes a dark, gloomy photo.

Stage the unit even if it's empty. At minimum:

• Turn on every light in the property
• Open all blinds and curtains
• Put a fresh doormat at the entrance
• Clean until it sparkles — especially kitchen counters and bathroom surfaces
• Remove all personal items, trash cans, and cleaning supplies from frame

If you're photographing an occupied unit, ask the tenant to tidy up the day before. Offer $50 off next month's rent as an incentive. It's worth it.

Writing a Headline That Stops the Scroll

Your headline competes against 50+ other listings on the same results page. You've got about 70 characters to convince someone to click. Here's a formula that works consistently:

[Standout Feature] + [Bed/Bath] + [Location Keyword] + [Bonus Amenity]

Headlines That Work vs. Headlines That Don't

Notice the pattern? The good headlines tell a story in a single line. They lead with the best feature, include specific details, and reference a location that renters actually search for.

Pro tip: Check what keywords renters use by typing your neighborhood into Zillow's search bar and noting the autocomplete suggestions. If people search "downtown Austin pet friendly," work those exact phrases into your headline and description.

Crafting a Description That Pre-Qualifies Tenants

The description serves two purposes: sell the property AND filter out bad-fit applicants. A well-written description saves you hours of wasted showings.

The Opening Hook (First 2 Sentences)

Lead with what makes this unit special. Not the address. Not the price. The thing that makes someone say "that's the one."

Weak: "This is a 2-bedroom apartment located at 415 Oak Street."

Strong: "Wake up to morning light flooding through oversized south-facing windows in this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, just three blocks from the Riverside farmer's market."

The Details Section

After the hook, lay out the essentials in a scannable format. Renters skim listings — make it easy:

Rent: $1,800/month
Security Deposit: $1,800 (one month's rent)
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Square Footage: 950 sq ft
Available: July 1, 2025
Lease Term: 12 months
Parking: 1 assigned spot included
Pets: Cats OK ($25/mo pet rent, $300 deposit). No dogs over 50 lbs.
Laundry: In-unit washer/dryer
Utilities Included: Water, trash, sewer
Tenant Pays: Electric, gas, internet

This block alone answers 80% of the questions you'd otherwise field by phone or text. Put it right after your opening paragraph.

Feature Highlights

Now expand on the good stuff. Use bullet points:

• Brand-new stainless steel appliances (installed January 2025)
• Original hardwood floors throughout — beautifully refinished
• Central A/C and heat — no window units
• Private balcony off the living room
• Keyless entry system on all exterior doors
• On-site management responds within 24 hours via PropsManager tenant portal

Setting Expectations (The Smart Filter)

This is where many landlords drop the ball. Include your requirements clearly so unqualified applicants self-select out:

• Income requirement: 3x monthly rent (verifiable)
• Credit score: 620 minimum
• No eviction history in the past 5 years
• Background and credit check required ($35 application fee)
• References from two previous landlords required

Every line you add here is one fewer phone call from someone who doesn't qualify.

The Call to Action

End with crystal-clear next steps:

"Ready to see it? Text or call (555) 123-4567 to schedule a private showing. If you'd like to apply before viewing, visit our online application portal. We process applications within 48 hours."

Zillow Rental Manager: Platform-Specific Strategies

Getting Verified

Zillow's "Verified Listing" badge dramatically increases trust. To get verified, you'll need to confirm property ownership through Zillow's verification process, which typically involves matching public property records. Do this before publishing — verified listings get measurably more inquiries.

Pricing Your Listing

Zillow shows a "Rent Zestimate" right next to your listing. If you're priced 15% above the Zestimate, tenants notice. That doesn't mean you have to match it — Zestimates are often inaccurate — but you should be prepared to justify why your unit commands a premium. Highlight recent upgrades, included utilities, or superior location in your description.

A sneaky trick: if your rent is $1,800, consider listing at $1,795. Zillow's search filters often use round-number thresholds ($1,500, $1,800, $2,000). Listing at $1,795 means you appear in "$1,500–$1,800" searches that a $1,800 listing misses entirely.

Responding to Leads

Zillow's internal messaging system routes leads to your email and app. Respond within 2 hours during business hours. Zillow tracks response time and may penalize slow responders in search rankings. Using a property management tool like PropsManager that consolidates your messages across platforms makes this dramatically easier — you won't miss leads that come in at 11pm on a Tuesday.

Renewing and Refreshing

Zillow listings stay active for 30 days. If your unit hasn't rented, don't just renew — update the listing. Add new photos, adjust the price by $25–50, or rewrite the headline. Zillow's algorithm treats refreshed listings more favorably than stale renewals.

Craigslist: Old School but Still Effective

Posting Strategy

Craigslist results are sorted chronologically — the newest post sits at the top. That means timing matters more here than on Zillow.

Post your listing:

• Sunday evening (6–8pm) — renters browse during the week ahead
• Tuesday or Wednesday morning — catches the mid-week search crowd
• Repost every 48 hours — Craigslist allows you to renew/repost after 48 hours. Do it religiously. A listing that's 4 days old is basically invisible.

Formatting That Works on Craigslist

Craigslist supports basic HTML. Use it. A formatted listing stands out massively against the wall of plain-text ads:

• Use bold tags for headers and key details
• Break up text with line breaks
• Include a map pin (Craigslist's built-in feature) so your listing shows on the map view
• Upload photos directly — don't link to external galleries

Protecting Yourself From Scams

Craigslist's biggest downside is scam activity. Both landlords and tenants get targeted. Here's how to protect yourself:

• Watermark your photos with your contact info or a subtle branding overlay. Scammers regularly steal listing photos to create fake ads for properties they don't own.
• Never put the exact street address in the listing text. Use the map feature to show the approximate location. Share the full address only with verified, serious inquiries.
• Watch for "can you ship me the keys" requests. This is always a scam. Always.
• Be wary of tenants who want to pay several months upfront sight-unseen. Often a money-laundering red flag or a scam using stolen payment methods.
• Use a Google Voice number instead of your personal cell phone for Craigslist listings.

Beyond the Big Two: Expanding Your Reach

While Zillow and Craigslist should be your foundation, consider layering in these additional channels:

Don't spread yourself too thin. Pick 2–3 platforms and do them well rather than posting a mediocre listing on seven sites.

Common Listing Mistakes That Cost You Weeks of Vacancy

I've reviewed hundreds of rental listings, and the same mistakes keep coming up. Here's a quick checklist of what NOT to do:

• No price listed. Listings without a price get skipped. Always. Tenants assume you're hiding something.
• Zero photos or only exterior shots. If you can't be bothered to photograph the inside, renters assume the inside isn't worth photographing.
• Wall-of-text descriptions. No one reads seven unbroken paragraphs. Use bullets, spacing, and headers.
• "Serious inquiries only." This phrase screams difficult landlord. Skip it.
• No mention of pet policy. Over 70% of American households have a pet. If you don't mention pets, pet owners will assume "no" and move on — even if you allow them.
• Outdated availability dates. Nothing kills credibility faster than a listing that says "Available October 2024" when it's May 2025.
• Ignoring the mobile experience. Over 60% of Zillow traffic comes from mobile devices. If your photos are blurry or your description is unreadable on a phone, you've lost the majority of viewers.

Tracking What Works: Measuring Your Marketing

You can't improve what you don't measure. Track these metrics for every listing:

• Views/impressions — Zillow shows this in your dashboard
• Inquiries received — count them, note which platform they came from
• Days on market — from posting to signed lease
• Showing-to-application ratio — if you're showing the unit 10 times but only getting 1 application, your description is overselling or your price is too high

PropsManager tracks all of this automatically, giving you a dashboard view of your vacancy performance across properties. When you can see that your 3BR on Maple Street consistently rents in 8 days while the studio on 5th Avenue takes 22, you know exactly where to focus your marketing improvements. Check out our pricing plans to see how we can streamline your entire listing-to-lease workflow.

Timing Your Listing for Maximum Impact

When you list matters almost as much as how you list. Rental demand follows predictable seasonal patterns:

• Peak season (May–August): Highest demand, shortest vacancy times, potential to push rent $50–150 higher
• Shoulder season (March–April, September–October): Moderate demand, reasonable vacancy times
• Off-season (November–February): Lowest demand, may need to price more aggressively or offer concessions like a free month

If your lease ends in December, consider offering a 6-month initial term through May, then converting to a 12-month lease. This aligns future vacancies with peak season and can save you hundreds in lost rent over time.

Explore More PropsManager Resources

Looking for the right property management software? Check out our in-depth guides:

• Compare Property Management Software — See how PropsManager stacks up against Buildium, AppFolio, Rent Manager, and Propertyware.
• Software for Small Landlords — Built for landlords managing 1–50 units without the enterprise price tag.
• AI-Powered Property Management — Discover how automation can save you 5–10 hours per week.
• Solutions for Property Managers — Scale from 50 to 500+ units without scaling your costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth paying for a Zillow listing or should I stick with free?

For most landlords with 1–5 units, the free listing is plenty. You still get syndication to Trulia and HotPads. The paid "premium" option bumps your listing higher in search results, which helps in ultra-competitive markets like NYC or San Francisco where hundreds of similar units compete for attention. But in most mid-size markets? Save your money. Invest that $30/week into better photography instead.

How often should I repost on Craigslist?

Every 48 hours, minimum. Craigslist results are sorted by recency, so a 3-day-old listing is already buried on page two in most markets. Set a recurring calendar reminder. It takes 60 seconds to click "renew" and the visibility boost is massive. Some landlords repost every single day during vacancy periods — Craigslist technically allows it every 48 hours per category, but you can post in different categories (e.g., "apartments" and "housing") on alternating days.

Should I include the rent price in my Craigslist headline?

Yes, absolutely. Craigslist searchers filter by price constantly, and including the dollar amount in your headline makes your listing immediately scannable. A headline like "Renovated 2BR Downtown — $1,450/mo" performs far better than one that makes people click through just to find the price. Transparency builds trust and filters out people who can't afford the unit before they ever contact you.

How do I handle multiple applications from different platforms?

First-come, first-served based on completed applications — not just inquiries. Someone who messages "interested!" on Zillow doesn't get priority over someone who submits a full application with documentation through Craigslist. Use a centralized system like PropsManager to track all applications regardless of source, rank them by qualification criteria, and process them consistently. This protects you legally and ensures fair housing compliance.

Can I post the same listing on both Zillow and Craigslist simultaneously?

Absolutely. There's no exclusivity requirement on either platform. In fact, it's standard practice. Just make sure the details are consistent — same price, same photos, same availability date, same pet policy. Inconsistent listings across platforms look unprofessional and create confusion that costs you good tenants.

Fill Vacancies Faster With PropsManager

Marketing your rental is just the first step. Once the inquiries start rolling in, you need to manage showings, process applications, run tenant screenings, collect deposits, and get that lease signed — all without dropping the ball.

PropsManager brings your entire rental workflow into one platform. From listing syndication and lead tracking to digital lease signing and automated rent collection, you'll spend less time on admin and more time growing your portfolio.

Ready to cut your vacancy time in half? Start your free trial or request a personalized demo to see how PropsManager can transform your rental marketing and property management workflow.