Not all online reviews are accurate
The first thing to know regarding online reviews is that they may not all be reliable. A few may even be fraudulent, posted by trolls or the landlord or property management company to improve their image. Numerous reviews may, moreover, be exaggerated in either direction, positively or negatively, originating from circumstances not associated with the property or even the landlord. When reading reviews, distinguish those that seem to be from obviously verified sources, particularly from current or past tenants with verifiable profiles. Ignore the rest.
How to read and assess a review
Once you correctly know how to seek and recognize verified reviews, it’s crucial to read and assess them effectively. You can take into consideration and assess a review by making use of the following points:
- Check the language and tone used by the reviewer. Are they utilizing specific, detailed examples, or are their complaints vague and general? Is the reviewer emotion-driven or endowing a more objective analysis of their experience? Search for reviews that extend both positives and negatives related to the property. A review with only glowing praise or harsh criticism may not be as reliable.
- Don’t just focus on the star rating. Dig deeper into the specific comments and criticisms fabricated in the review. Are they valid concerns or simply fixable matters?
- Discover patterns in various reviews. Do certain issues come up repeatedly? Are they repeatedly positive or negative? Did the landlord answer the review, try to make things right, or thank the reviewer for their review? This can effectively help you get a very clear picture of the overall experience at the property.
- Remember your priorities and preferences when reading reviews. A negative review concerning noise levels may not be as critical to you if you work from home and don’t plan on having constant 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 excellent review may speak about definite 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 unsatisfactory review may be extremely dramatic or vague, for example, “This place is a nightmare. Do not move here.” The latter lacks particular and clear examples or evidence to back up their claims. Always take into account the language and tone used in a review and the source of the review when probing its reliability.
The importance of evaluating reviews correctly
It’s essential to properly evaluate online reviews when on the lookout for a new rental property. Misleading or sham reviews can impart a false impression of the property and result in potential issues and disappointments in the future. Before you make any decision relating to a property, think of visiting it in person to secure a first-hand look at the rental and have a word with the landlord or Macon property management company.
Generally speaking, always remember to take online reviews with a grain of salt and use them as one tool in your rental decision-making process. By suitably assessing reviews, you can make a more informed decision and probably have a great rental experience.
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