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Best Ways to Advertise Your Rental in Chicago

  • dwbakerj
  • Mar 11
  • 2 min read

Advertising a rental property in Chicago effectively requires a combination of high-traffic listing sites, local networking, and strategic marketing. Here are the our recommendations for the best ways to advertise and the top-performing rental listing sites based on traffic and success rates

Best Ways to Advertise Your Rental in Chicago

  1. List on High-Traffic Rental Sites 

    • Focus on platforms with high visibility and renter engagement.

  2. Leverage Social Media & Facebook Marketplace 

    • Chicago rental groups on Facebook can generate fast leads.

  3. Optimize Your Listing for SEO & Visibility 

    • Use high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and competitive pricing.

  4. Engage Local Real Estate Groups & Forums 

    • Post in forums like BiggerPockets, Chicago real estate meetups, and Craigslist.

  5. Consider a Professional Leasing Agent 

    • Leasing agents often have tenant pipelines and can help get your unit rented faster.

  6. Utilize Section 8 & Affordable Housing Platforms 

    • Many renters actively search for Section 8-eligible units on specialized platforms.

  7. Place Yard Signs & Network Locally 

    • Old-school methods still work—especially in high-traffic neighborhoods.

Best Rental Listing Sites for Chicago

These platforms have the highest traffic and success rates:

Top General Rental Platforms

  1. Zillow Rental Manager (High Traffic, Paid)

    • Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads syndicate together.

    • Best for: High visibility, serious renters.

    • Cost: Free for the first listing, then ~$30 per listing per month.

  2. Apartments.com (CoStar Network) (High Traffic, Free & Paid)

    • Syndicates with ApartmentFinder, ApartmentGuide, etc.

    • Best for: High-end and mid-tier rentals.

    • Cost: Free basic listing; paid options available for premium placement.

  3. Facebook Marketplace (High Traffic, Free)

    • Best for: Fast leads and direct tenant contact.

    • Join local Chicago rental groups for added visibility.

  4. Craigslist Chicago (High Traffic, Free & Paid)

    • Best for: Budget-friendly rentals, quick responses.

    • Watch out for: Scammers; be careful with tenant screening.

  5. PadMapper / Zumper (Medium Traffic, Free)

    • Best for: Young professionals and digital-first renters.

  6. Realtor.com & Rent.com (Medium Traffic, Paid)

    • Good for professional listings and working with leasing agents.

Niche & Specialized Platforms

  • Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Portal – .

  • AffordableHousing.com – For government-subsidized housing.

  • Domu.com – Chicago-focused, attracts local renters.

  • Airbnb / Furnished Finder – If considering short-term or furnished rentals.

Best Strategy for Fast Tenant Placement

  1. List on Zillow, Apartments.com, and Facebook Marketplace first.

  2. Cross-post on Craigslist, PadMapper, and Zumper.

  3. Section 8, list on AffordableHousing.com & CHA portal.

  4. Engage Chicago-based rental groups on Facebook.

  5. Consider using a leasing agent if the unit is vacant for too long.

 

 
 
 

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