Your marketing efforts and considerations will include advertising, showing the property and how long the house has been on the market. Your home should be listed, whenever possible, through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well as websites and other advertising mediums where renters typically search for rentals.

Advertising and Promotion
Properties are commonly advertised through real estate agent Web sites, Internet home search/listing services, classified advertising and real estate guides.

Even with all these advertising avenues, “For Rent" signs on front lawns are still remarkably effective. Many Realtors® promote their Web sites on the sign and use brochure boxes with the signs to market the property.

Showings
To prepare your home for viewing, make it as bright, clean, cheerful and serene as possible. Always look at your home from the renter's point of view. If at all possible, allow the prospective tenants to view the home without you, since your presence will inhibit their actions and conversations. They won’t feel free to open closets and cabinets, test out the plumbing and discuss their observations objectively as they walk through the house. It goes without saying that your children and pets should not be on the premises either.

Quick tips for showings: 

1. Clean or replace dirty or worn carpets. 
2. Open all curtains and blinds. 
3. Replace any burned out light bulbs and turn on all lights. 
4. Clear all clutter. 
5. Clear all countertops. 
6. Wash and put away any dirty dishes. 
7. Set the dining room or kitchen table if you have particularly nice linen or china. 
8. Simmer a few drops of vanilla on the stove. 
9. Put on soft music. 
10. Burn wood in the fireplace on cold days, otherwise, clean the fireplace. 
11. Put fresh towels in the bathroom. 
12. Take any laundry out of the washer and dryer. 
13. Leave the house so your Realtor® is free to deal with prospective buyers in a professional manner. 
14. Put pets in cages or take them to a neighbor.

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