Not all online reviews are accurate
The first thing to bring to mind concerning online reviews is that they may not all be true. Many may even be bluff, posted by trolls or the landlord or property management company to strengthen their image. Several reviews may equally be exaggerated in either direction, positively or negatively, because of cases not connected to the property or even the landlord. When reading reviews, go after those that seem to be from actually verified sources, such as current or past tenants with verifiable profiles. Completely ignore the rest.
How to read and assess a review
When you are aware of how to go in search for verified reviews, it’s vital to read and assess them effectively. You can observe and assess a review by using the following suggestions:
- Verify the language and tone used by the reviewer. Are they making use of specific, detailed examples, or are their complaints vague and general? Is the reviewer emotion-driven or bestowing a more objective analysis of their experience? Search out for reviews that impart both positives and negatives relating to the property. A review with only glowing praise or harsh criticism may not be as authentic and reliable.
- Don’t just aim at the star rating. Dig deeper into the specific comments and criticisms put together in the review. Are they valid concerns or only fixable concerns?
- Go after patterns in plenty of reviews. Do certain 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 further help you to get a better picture of the overall experience at the property.
- Do not forget your priorities and preferences when reading reviews. A negative review about noise levels may not be as crucial 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
An ideal review may make mention of exact 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 unacceptable review may be immensely dramatic or vague, for example, “This place is a nightmare. Do not move here.” The latter lacks definite examples or evidence to back up their claims. Always consider the language and tone used in a review and the source of the review when analyzing its reliability.
The importance of evaluating reviews correctly
It’s imperative to properly evaluate online reviews when looking for a new rental property. Misleading or false reviews can endow you with a false impression of the property and set off potential issues and disappointments in the future. Before you make any decision regarding a property, look into visiting it in person to gain a first-hand look at the rental and have a chat with the landlord or Suwanee property management company.
Broadly speaking, bring to mind to take online reviews with a grain of salt and use them as one tool in your rental decision-making process. By correctly assessing reviews, you can make a more informed decision and, in all probability, have a better rental experience.
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