Not all online reviews are accurate
The first thing to call to mind in connection with online reviews is that they may not all be right. Few may even be false, posted by trolls or the landlord or property management company to develop their image. Particular reviews may further be exaggerated in either direction, positively or negatively, arising from concerns immaterial to the property or even the landlord. When reading reviews, go in search for those that seem to be from validated sources, like in particular, from current or past tenants with verifiable profiles. Don’t mind the rest.
How to read and assess a review
When you finally understand the idea of how to search for verified reviews, it’s relevant to read and assess them effectively. You can correctly asses a review by making the best use of the following tips:
- Catch a sight of the language and tone used by the reviewer. Are they using specific, detailed examples, or are their complaints vague and general? Is the reviewer emotion-driven or equipping a more objective analysis of their experience? Go after reviews that bestow both positives and negatives concerning the property. A review with only glowing praise or harsh criticism may not be as honest.
- Don’t just engage in the star rating. Dig deeper into the specific comments and criticisms formed in the review. Are they valid concerns or solely fixable instances?
- Go in search for patterns in numerous reviews. Do particular issues come up repeatedly? Are they oftentimes positive or negative? Did the landlord answer the review, try to make things right, or thank the reviewer for their review? This can support you to get the right picture of the overall experience at the property.
- Bring to mind your priorities and preferences when reading reviews. A negative review regarding noise levels may not be as imperative to you if you work from home and don’t plan on having regular 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 appropriate review may talk about certain 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 lousy review may be unreasonably dramatic or vague, for example, “This place is a nightmare. Do not move here.” The latter lacks clear examples or evidence to back up their claims. Always search for the language and tone used in a review and the source of the review when looking over its reliability.
The importance of evaluating reviews correctly
It’s vital to properly evaluate online reviews when trying to find a new rental property. Misleading or fabricated reviews can grant you a false impression of the property and give rise to potential issues and disappointments in the future. Before you make any decision about a property, give thought to visiting it in person to get a first-hand look at the rental and converse with the landlord or Dickinson property management company.
As a whole, call to mind to take online reviews with a grain of salt and use them as one tool in your rental decision-making process. By appropriately assessing reviews, you can make a more informed decision and hopefully have a great rental experience.
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