advice on my room to let ad

asoe209

00ec25 wrote: »

OP has already listed it on spareroom, £450 pcm is a reasonable going rate
http://www.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/flatshare_detail.pl?flatshare_id=3133758&search_id=155297592&city_id=&flatshare_type=offered&search_results=%2Fflatshare%2F%3Fsearch_id%3D155297592%26&

at £450pcm I'd prefer the other 2 in the same area, although obviously they may well have gone by February. This one at £400 and the other at £450, both look much nicer

May I ask what you mean by ways of nicer?

whats selling them better?

TBagpuss

Looking at the ads, your property seems very bare, you don't have any pictures of the room you're actually looking to rent out, and both of the others which OOec25 linked to have gardens.

asoe209

That would make sense. yeah i guess to look at mine is very minimal in living area.

Annisele

I wouldn't bother getting in touch about a "potential room for rent" - it implies some drama between the existing housemates. If I wanted to rent a room from February, I'd find one that was definitely available then.

00ec25

asoe209 wrote: »

May I ask what you mean by ways of nicer?
whats selling them better?

at the end of the day you are the LL and any lodger has to fit in with you. Based on your listing I am not your target market so take the following as comments from someone you would not want anyway:

yours
-age 29 LL wants age group -8 to +6 (upper limit 35 suggests you want people who are still 20 in their mindset)
- likes his gadgets (dominant TV, lists of technology etc),
- prefers function over comfort: laminate (easy clean) floors compared to carpet (but that is my very personal viewpoint),
- smoker
- furniture looks like a trendy crashpad rather than a comfy home (my ageist personal viewpoint!)
- clean (dark!) kitchen but lacking any personal warmth, does not look as though it gets used
- no garden
- no bath (blandly decorated room)
- higher end of price bracket

summary: creates impression you want a young 20 something flatmate so you can relive your student days in a place that is not yet home

competitor A - cottage double room
- £50pcm cheaper
- garden, albeit one which is obviously a bit unkempt but nonetheless a real lifestyle statement: "al fresco"
- clean kitchen with warmth: plants plus a table that makes it look like eating there would be companionable (ie selling a lifestyle which is more than playing with electronic gadgets in a functional lounge)
- confirmation that wifi BB is available but does not emphasise technology
- 2 photos of the bedroom showing exactly what is on offer and therefore the scope available to a lodger to create their own space
- LL age 38 but will consider 21 - 60 as lodger (ie so desperate will take anyone not using a zimmer frame).
- non smoker
- reference to openminded re lodger's sexual orientation given male LL appears to suggest a certain leaning as advert is restricted to male applicants only

summary
cheap, stylish, developed mature home (gay LL?)

competitor B £450 3 bed
- (garage) parking
- garden
- room has a double bed but no further info to enable assessment of size, layout or other fittings
- non smoker
- no photos of rest of property (big question mark)
- female 29 LL wants age group -4 to +10 (not down to 22) with emphasis on professionals only

summary
wants intelligent people not looking to recreate studentville

do not take the above personally, it's clear I am not your target market

asoe209

Thanks for the response all valid points and taken in.

Well age limit was just some thing set while doing that listing.
function I have no control over that as flooring is how it was when I moved in and not been changed. I cant say nothing about the tech as tha'ts true lol.
comfort comes down to what me and my partner chose when moving in and not really having the cash to add more. i.e. picture, tables and the other bits that make a home a home. as she is gone alot of that stuff has gone with here that was around.
with kitchens are away in cupboards.

I wont lie my home is pretty bear and thee size of the rooms make it look even more empty.

but thanks for that, things are going to be moved around as ex still has more things to collect so im going to rearrange the living room when the replacement arrive.

if im honest I don't know my target market. As long as some one has respect for the property, I get along with them and they pay there way im fine. My only concern would be that Im a pretty quite person I look young for my age and i wonder if any one would try and take advantage of my good nature.

Southernman

Those pictures used for the add look like they were taken on a dark rainy day and makes it appear very depressing.

A small thing but that was my first impression

asoe209

Cheers, ill take better ones once every thing is cleared out and have things in place. Ill try and strip the ad down abit today as well.

asoe209

had a play around and here is what I have come up with

Room to let from mid February, £450 PCM including all bills (except landline phone) sharing with one other, Short term lets available.

Based in a ground floor flat on Road Name in a block small block of flats over 3 floors.

Large room, 14x8 feet facing the front of the building, street parking on side and front of the building. Access to a garage at the rear of building for extra storage if required.

Use of shared facilities including, washing machine, satellite TV, Wifi and Desk with desktop PC and Duplex scanner.

Local Area
Good transport links to London via Barnhurst or Erith Train station, both within a 10-15 Min walk. 2 min walk to bus routes. The main high street is 2 Mins walk away with a variety of shops including Tesco Local and Co-Op Supermarket.

Viewings are available, if you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact me.

brunettifan

I think you need to mention something about yourself, gender for one, age, smoker/non smoker, pets, and interests. If I was looking I would want to know those basics before inquiring.