Not all online reviews are accurate
The first thing to consider about online reviews is that not all of them might be true. A few might even be bogus, posted by trolls or the landlord or property management company to improve their image. Some assessments may also be exaggerated in either direction, positively or negatively, due to problems not related to the property or even the landlord. When reading reviews, search for those that appear to be coming from reliable sources, like current or past tenants with verifiable profiles. Ignore the rest.
How to read and assess a review
As soon as you know how to locate verified reviews, it’s important to read and assess them effectively. You can assess a review by utilizing the following tips:
- Look at the language and tone used by the reviewer. Are they applying specific, detailed examples, or are their complaints vague and general? Is the reviewer emotion-driven or offering a more objective analysis of their experience? Look for reviews that provide both positives and negatives about the property. A review with only glowing praise or harsh criticism may not be as dependable.
- Don’t just focus on the star rating. Dig deeper into the specific comments and criticisms made in the review. Are they valid concerns or easily fixable issues?
- Look for patterns in multiple reviews. Do specific issues come up repeatedly? Are they mostly positive or negative? Did the landlord answer the review, try to make things right, or thank the reviewer for their review? This can help you get a better picture of the overall experience at the property.
- Keep in mind your priorities and preferences when reading reviews. A negative review about noise levels may not be as important to you if you work from home and don’t plan on having frequent visitors. Something that may be a dealbreaker for one person may not matter as much to you.
Examples of good and bad online reviews
A good review may mention 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 bad review may be overly dramatic or vague, for example, “This place is a nightmare. Do not move here.” The latter lacks specific 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 evaluating its reliability.
The importance of evaluating reviews correctly
It’s important to properly evaluate online reviews when searching for a new rental property. Misleading or fake reviews can give you a false impression of the property and lead to potential issues and frustrations in the future. Before you make any decision about a property, consider visiting it in person to get a first-hand look at the rental and speak with the landlord or Palatine property management company.
Overall, remember 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 possibly have a better rental experience.
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