How to Write a Compelling and Inclusive Real Estate Listing

Note from Stephanie:

We often get questions about how to write a great listing, so we’re excited to share some ideas and wisdom with you. Whether you are brand new to Listings Project or you are a seasoned long-time Lister, we hope that this advice will help you find the right person to share your space with.

~ Stephanie Diamond
Founder and CEO of Listings Project

Writing a Real Estate headline that stands out

A strong listing headline grabs Listers’ attention and gives them enough information to know if the space might be right for them.

We recommend picking something unique about your space to highlight, while also being transparent about important information people should know. Take the headline: “Cozy Furnished Bedroom in Heart of Crown Heights (Utilities Included)”; it gives you a feel for the space and a real sense of what you'll find in the listing.

Photo by Nick Le Messurier

Don’t be afraid to be creative, quirky, and candid with your headlines, too. This can be a great place to share your personality and the personality of your space.

The trick is finding a happy medium: you want to make your Real Estate listing headline detailed enough that it really conveys what it is you're offering, but you don’t want it to get so long and wordy that you lose your potential tenant before they’ve even clicked on your listing.

Photo by Joseph Montgomery

Write descriptions that give Listers a feel for your space

Your Real Estate listing description is how people learn what’s special about your space and decide if it’s the right fit. The more details you include, the easier it will be to find your ideal tenant, subletter, roommate, or studio mate, which is why we often encourage Listers to expand on listings that are too short.

Your Real Estate listing description should answer the basic questions that Listers who are seeking are likely to ask:

• What is the layout of the space? 

• How many bedrooms and bathrooms? 

• Is the space furnished?

• Are utilities included in the rent? 

• Are pets allowed?

• Are there any amenities or special features?

• Are there hardwood floors, a backyard, skylights? 

• What is the neighborhood like? 

• Are there grocery stores or cafes nearby?

• Is it near transportation? 

• Is it ADA compliant or accessible to someone with a physical disability?

We also encourage you to go beyond your space’s physical features and surroundings. Listings Project is about building connections, so if the landlords who live upstairs are helpful and warm, or if there’s a strong community among the people who live in your building, let your fellow Listers know!

Similarly, it helps to convey your personal experience with your space. What does home mean to you? What do you love about your place? Are you a DIYer who has done renovations? Sharing more personal information about yourself and your experience with the space can help potential Listers resonate with the listing and reach out to connect with you. 

Listings Project Community Tip

To uphold our values, listings may not include political language, slogans, commentary on current events or social issues, religious language, or any type of exclusionary language. We encourage clear, open, and respectful conversations when communicating directly with fellow Listers. Find joy in interactions by participating in our community and nourishing relationships.

We also ask Listers to refrain from using the word “safe” in their listings when describing a neighborhood, dwelling, or space, as it has a history of being used in a coded and discriminatory way in the real estate industry.

Photo by Holly Andres

Help Listers get to know you  

The “About You” section is an opportunity to give Listers a sense of your personality and your relationship with the space. 

Here are some questions to get you started: 

• Are you the landlord or a tenant?

• What’s your favorite thing to do at home?

• How do you spend your time outside of your space?

• What’s something you are passionate about?

• Are you new in town or have you lived in the city for a long time?

• What are your preferred gender pronouns?

We find that the most effective listings share personal and thoughtful narratives about the Lister. Giving Listers a sense of who you are can help build connections and give a sense of camaraderie, making interested parties more inclined to reply to your listing.

If you are looking for a roommate or studio mate, we encourage you to put some thought into who you’d like to share the space with. If you have strong preferences about tidiness, routines, having guests over, or how shared space is used, it’s always helpful to state these in your listing. We have a helpful guide on how to share a space with a roommate, if you’d like to check that out.

Listings Project Community Tip

In certain jurisdictions, having personal preferences for people with similar backgrounds may not be an affirmative act of discrimination; if you’d like to share the space with people you identify with, you can note this in your listing while being thoughtful and respectful of the entire Listings Project community.

Photo by Gabriela Villa Ruiz

Be descriptive about rental requirements

Every Real Estate listing for rentals or sublets includes a “Rental Requirements” section, where you can drill down into exactly what you need from someone who wants to rent your space.

Be transparent about the following:

• What kind of documentation do you require? Proof of income? Credit report?

• Are you asking for references?

• Are there fees associated with moving in?

• Are you requiring a security deposit? Does it follow your state’s rental laws?
  Remember that in accordance with the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, in New York, security deposits cannot exceed one month’s rent.

You can also use the “Rental Requirements” space to let Listers know when you are available to show the space and what your timeline is for finding a new tenant.

Listings Project Community Tip

We understand that some Listers may want to run background checks before renting out their space or inviting new roommates. Please keep in mind how background checks may affect people with an arrest record or who have been formerly incarcerated. 

If you are concerned about sexual violence, we recommend you check the National Sex Offender Registry. We also recommend checking out resources from the Osborn Association to guide you on how to use inclusive, humanizing language to indicate you are open to leasing to formerly incarcerated individuals.

When running background checks, please keep our Community Agreements in mind to make sure everyone has equal access to housing.

Photo by Michael D'Anvers

Take pictures of your space 

The importance of pictures of your space cannot be overstated. No matter how strong your descriptions are, if your pictures are blurry, confusing, or taken in poor lighting, it will be hard for Listers to imagine themselves in your space.

We encourage Listers to upload as many as 10 photos, capturing a wide variety of angles and perspectives for each room.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Your first photo will be your listing’s default thumbnail, so make sure it’s a good one!

• Photograph your space during the day in natural light

• Make sure your pictures are current and accurately reflect your space

• Avoid heavily filtered or edited photos

• Take photos of every room, including bathrooms and shared spaces

• Avoid using AI-generated or edited photos. Keep it authentic!

• Avoid using third-party pictures in your listing

Listings Project Community Tip

We encourage our Listers to use their own photos in their listing, since it can make a big difference in adding personality and authenticity. If you do want to use third-party images, such as photos from your building’s website, we ask you not to use ones with logos or watermarks, and confirm you received permission to upload them.

However you choose to showcase your space through images, don’t be afraid to share your personality and idiosyncrasies, and don’t worry too much about deep cleaning your space before you photograph it. 

At Listings Project, we love to see photos that show the real use of the space. As our Founder/CEO Stephanie Diamond puts it, “I love seeing your pets or the amazing way you stack all your canned goods in your tiny kitchen, or your reflection in the mirror. It’s wonderful to see the humanness in these images and listings. It’s what makes Listings Project special.”

Lastly: don’t forget to let us know if you are comfortable with us sharing your pictures on our Instagram account! We love to showcase some of our favorite listings and spaces!

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