Not all online reviews are accurate
The first thing to always remember about online reviews is that they may not all be correct. A few may even be phony, posted by trolls or the landlord or property management company to improve their image. Several reviews may additionally be exaggerated in either direction, positively or negatively, because of points unconnected to the property or even the landlord. When reading reviews, seek those that seem to be from confirmed and verified sources, for instance, from current or past tenants with verifiable profiles. Ignore the rest.
How to read and assess a review
Once you figure out how to meet verified reviews, it’s imperative to read and assess them effectively. You can look into a review by utilizing the following guides:
- Take a look at the language and tone used by the reviewer. Are they sharing specific, detailed examples, or are their complaints vague and general? Is the reviewer emotion-driven or imparting a more objective analysis of their experience? Look at reviews that give both positives and negatives about the property. A review with only glowing praise or harsh criticism may not be as sound.
- Don’t just revolve around the star rating. Dig deeper into the specific comments and criticisms created in the review. Are they valid concerns or just fixable situations?
- Watch out for patterns in a lot of reviews. Do definite or particular issues come up repeatedly? Are they usually positive or negative? Did the landlord answer the review, try to make things right, or thank the reviewer for their review? This can foster you getting a suitable picture of the overall experience at the property.
- Know your priorities and preferences when reading reviews. A negative review relating to noise levels may not be as essential to you if you work from home and don’t plan on having habitual visitors. Something that may be a dealbreaker for one person may not matter as much to you.
Examples of good and bad online reviews
The right review may discuss certain 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.”
A terrible review may be too 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 think about the language and tone used in a review and the source of the review when studying its reliability.
The importance of evaluating reviews correctly
It’s crucial to properly evaluate online reviews when in search of a new rental property. Misleading or hoax reviews can give you a false impression of the property and bring about potential issues and disappointments in the future. Before you make any decision with regards to a property, take into consideration visiting it in person to acquire a first-hand look at the rental and discuss with the landlord or Clawson property management company.
All in all, do not forget to take online reviews with a grain of salt and use them as one tool in your rental decision-making process. By properly assessing reviews, you can make a more informed decision and maybe have a suitable rental experience.
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