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
List on High-Traffic Rental Sites
Focus on platforms with high visibility and renter engagement.
Leverage Social Media & Facebook Marketplace
Chicago rental groups on Facebook can generate fast leads.
Optimize Your Listing for SEO & Visibility
Use high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and competitive pricing.
Engage Local Real Estate Groups & Forums
Post in forums like BiggerPockets, Chicago real estate meetups, and Craigslist.
Consider a Professional Leasing Agent
Leasing agents often have tenant pipelines and can help get your unit rented faster.
Utilize Section 8 & Affordable Housing Platforms
Many renters actively search for Section 8-eligible units on specialized platforms.
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
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.
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.
Facebook Marketplace (High Traffic, Free)
Best for: Fast leads and direct tenant contact.
Join local Chicago rental groups for added visibility.
Craigslist Chicago (High Traffic, Free & Paid)
Best for: Budget-friendly rentals, quick responses.
Watch out for: Scammers; be careful with tenant screening.
PadMapper / Zumper (Medium Traffic, Free)
Best for: Young professionals and digital-first renters.
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
List on Zillow, Apartments.com, and Facebook Marketplace first.
Cross-post on Craigslist, PadMapper, and Zumper.
Section 8, list on AffordableHousing.com & CHA portal.
Engage Chicago-based rental groups on Facebook.
Consider using a leasing agent if the unit is vacant for too long.
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