Not all online reviews are accurate
The first thing to remember about online reviews is that they may not all be true. Some may even be fabricated, posted by trolls or the landlord or property management company to make better their image. A few reviews may similarly be exaggerated in either direction, positively or negatively, caused by instances not directly related to the property or even the landlord. When reading reviews, find those that seem to be from valid sources, like for example, current or past tenants with verifiable profiles. Simply ignore the rest.
How to read and assess a review
Once you now know how to properly look for verified reviews, it’s essential to read and assess them effectively. You can study a review by capitalizing on the following pointers:
- See the language and tone used by the reviewer. Are they making the best use of specific, detailed examples, or are their complaints vague and general? Is the reviewer emotion-driven or extending a more objective analysis of their experience? Find reviews that offer both positives and negatives in connection with the property. A review with only glowing praise or harsh criticism may not be as good or reliable.
- Don’t just center on the star rating. Dig deeper into the specific comments and criticisms formed in the review. Are they valid concerns or completely fixable issues and concerns?
- Search for patterns in many reviews. Do particular issues come up repeatedly? Are they typically positive or negative? Did the landlord answer the review, try to make things right, or thank the reviewer for their review? This can enable you to get an excellent picture of the overall experience at the property.
- Take into consideration your priorities and preferences when reading reviews. A negative review related to noise levels may not be as significant to you if you work from home and don’t plan on having steady visitors. Something that may be a dealbreaker for one person may not matter as much to you.
Examples of good and bad online reviews
A nice review may say something about the specific features of the property, and personal experiences, such as “The management team is very responsive and accommodating. They fixed a plumbing issue in my unit within 24 hours.”
An unreliable review may be dramatic or vague, for example, “This place is a nightmare. Do not move here.” The latter lacks precise examples or evidence to back up their claims. Always give thought to the language and tone used in a review and the source of the review when investigating its reliability.
The importance of evaluating reviews correctly
It’s critical to properly evaluate online reviews when hunting for a new rental property. Misleading or counterfeit reviews can provide you with a false impression of the property and trigger potential issues and disappointments in the future. Before you make any decision concerning a property, take into consideration visiting it in person to gather a first-hand look at the rental and speak with the landlord or Orangetown property management company.
Mostly, always keep in mind to take online reviews with a grain of salt and use them as one tool in your rental decision-making process. By correctly and properly assessing reviews, you can make a more informed decision and likely have an excellent rental experience.
Are you in the market for a new rental home? Contact Real Property Management DePenn to view top-grade listings in your area! You can also browse our rentals online.