By Coty Thurman, February 9, 2024
In the challenging landscape of today’s rental market, Living Room, like many others, faced prolonged vacancies in our rental homes during the fourth quarter of 2023. National averages indicated a staggering 47% increase in the time homes spent on the market compared to 2021. To address these challenges, it’s essential to employ a blend of creativity and strategic thinking. In this newsletter, we’ll delve into six innovative strategies aimed at setting your property apart and attracting quality renters, even in the most competitive environments.
1. Expand Your Pet Policy: Consider broadening your tenant pool by accommodating individuals with three or more pets. In a market where pet-friendly options are scarce for such households, this move can distinguish your listing. Highlight your property’s pet-friendly features and establish clear guidelines for responsible pet ownership, positioning your property as a sought-after option in the rental market. š¶ š± š¶
2. Reduce or Flex Upfront Move-in Costs and Deposits: Ease the financial burden on tenants by offering reduced deposits and move-in fees. Providing flexibility in deposit payments through a spread-out payment plan over the initial months of their lease makes your property more accessible. This demonstrates a commitment to working with tenants, addressing upfront costs, and broadening your property’s appeal to a wider range of renters. šµ
3. Increase Traffic and Allow for Self-Guided Tours: 3. Increase Traffic and Allow for Self-Guided Tours: Enhance accessibility by offering self-guided tours during evenings, weekends, and holidays to accommodate diverse schedules. Utilize innovative solutions provided by companies like Showmojo,Ā Tenant TurnerĀ andĀ Rently, which offer software and digital lockboxes, streamlining the self-guided tour process and showcasing a commitment to modern tools enhancing the rental experience. š
4.Ā Invest in Professional Photos to Showcase Your Home: Capture your home’s essence with professional photos to create a positive first impression. While video and 3-D tours can be beneficial, statistics show that a minimum of four high-quality photos can drive interest and visits to the property. These visuals significantly increase the likelihood of attracting potential tenants drawn to the visual representation of your home..šø
5. Utilize Social Media: Zillow and Apartments.com are great tools but nothing beats a personal referral from a sphere of people who know, like and trust you. Leverage social media to expand your reach beyond traditional listing platforms. Encourage followers to share your rental listing with incentives like free coffee or cocktail gift cards. Maintain an active online presence by promptly responding to inquiries and providing additional information, enhancing your property’s visibility and appeal in the competitive rental market. š»
6. Stay Current with Rent Trends – Don’t Get Stuck in “What Happened Last Year”: Avoid pricing your rental based on outdated information. Align your rent with the current market competition while avoiding comparisons with properties sitting on the market for extended periods. Utilize online resources like ZillowĀ &Ā Apartments.com to track rapidly moving homes. Adjusting your rent may seem drastic, but it’s preferable to enduring months of vacancy and associated risks. Did you know Living Room Property Management provides free rental assessments for houses, condos and ADUs throughout all of the Portland Metro region? š šĀ
Conclusion: By incorporating these six strategic solutions and adapting them to your property’s unique features, you can increase your chances of finding the perfect tenant. Stay flexible, responsive, and forward-thinking to thrive in today’s competitive rental landscape. Happy renting!
Coty Thurman
President & Licensed Principal Broker of Property Management | OR & WA
She/Her
Helping property owners navigate Portlandās rental market with strategy, ethics, and real-world experience.
Iāve spent more than two decades in residential rental management, and if thereās one thing I know for sure, itās that property management is never just about the property ā itās about people, strategy, and doing things the right way.
As President of Living Room Property Management, my work is centered on helping property owners and tenants thrive through thoughtful systems, clear communication, and ethical housing practices. I love the problem-solving side of this industry ā translating complex laws into practical strategies, building processes that support both people and performance, and helping owners make confident decisions about their homes.
People usually call me when they want to talk through the strategy of being a rental property owner. Whether itās selling a tenant-occupied home, navigating a tough tenant situation, pricing a property, deciding on upgrades, or figuring out the right time to lease, I help people think through the long game. After 25+ years in the industry, Iāve likely encountered a version of your situation before and can offer perspective to support your overall strategy.
Iām passionate about sharing rental trends through both national data and insights from our own portfolio of homes. The hyper-local PortlandāVancouver market is our specialty, and our team is deeply committed to helping housing providers understand both the laws and the realities of our local market.
Industry leadership and community involvement are an important part of my work. I serve as a board member of the Greater Portland chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) and had the honor of serving as the 2025 Board President. Iām also a dedicated member of Multifamily NW and the Oregon Realtist community ā a group of professionals across the real estate industry working to foster inclusive collaboration, support underserved communities, and create pathways toward greater Black and minority homeownership in Oregon.
I hold property management licenses in both Oregon and Washington and am grateful to manage homes throughout the PortlandāVancouver metro area.
A few things you should know about me: I wonāt help anyone get around the law. Ethical housing practices are non-negotiable. And I wonāt speak negatively about our city or our neighborhoods ā I believe deeply in this community and wouldnāt choose to do this work anywhere else.
Portland is home. I grew up in Montavilla and attended Marshall High School, and today Iām raising my family in the east metro area with my high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, our kids, and our dog. Outside of work, youāll usually find me enjoying live comedy or theater, exploring great food, or singing along (loudly) to the Hamilton soundtrack on a scenic drive.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: help people become thoughtful, confident housing providers ā and make room for them to live.