Whether it's low maintenance costs, access to amenities, or the uncertainty of committing to a mortgage, more and more people are starting to realize the benefits of renting. In fact, the National Association of Realtors found that five to six million new rental properties will be created within the next ten years.

Working with these renters can offer real estate professionals a unique opportunity to grow your referral network, establish relationships with future buyers and ensure long term wealth. Here are three helpful tips that will help you build your rental portfolio by better marketing your rental properties, so that you can start taking advantage of this growing market!

1. Renters Now, Buyers Later

Millennials are the new wave of home buyers, but with most of them up to their eyeballs in student loans, the majority of them are renting. The good news is that half of all renters are optimistic about buying a house in the near future (Fannie Mae). With this in mind, it would be a good idea to get your foot in the door with these clients by helping them find a rental, because it can lead to big business further down the road.

Two out of three of these renters would prefer to work with someone that they have worked with in the past (Harvard Joint Study). Start building relationships with these future homeowners by providing them with all the resources they need during their rental search. Try sharing the Homes.com Rentals app with them so that they can search for properties on-the-go or keep them updated on new properties in the area. These simple tips will make their search much easier and will help them establish trust in your services!