How to write a good listing

The basics that always help

• Be specific in the title. “Furnished room, 8 min walk to Medical Center Metro” beats “Room for rent.”
• Add at least one real photo. Listings with photos get far more replies. Use your own photos, not stock images.
• Say where it is. A neighborhood or nearest transit stop helps people self-select.
• Give the price. A vague amount makes people scroll past. If you’re giving it away, say so.
• Be honest. Describe condition and quirks. It saves everyone’s time and builds trust.

Writing a good housing listing

• Include rent, what’s included (utilities, furniture, parking), and available dates.
• Mention the commute: nearest Metro/bus, and roughly how long to the relevant campus.
• Describe the space honestly — room size, shared vs private bath, who else lives there.
• Describe the home, not the tenant. Avoid preferences about who can live there — that’s a Fair Housing issue. See Fair Housing.
• Offer an in-person or live video tour. It builds trust and is a basic safety step.

Writing a good moving-sale listing

• List the big items and a rough price for each, or a bundle price.
• Note condition (new, like-new, good, fair) and whether it’s pickup-only.
• Add a photo of each major item — a real photo sells faster than a description.
• Give a pickup window and a general area (not your exact address until you’ve agreed).
• Bundle deals (“everything for $200, must take all”) move fast near move-out season.

Keep it safe

• Arrange payment safely after you meet — never ask for wire transfers, gift cards, or crypto up front.
• Meet for marketplace handoffs in a busy public place during the day.
• Don’t post anything on the Prohibited listings list.

More on staying safe: Trust & safety. Curious what happens after you post? How moderation works.

Before you publish — quick checklist

• No phone number or email in the listing text — contact stays private by default.
• Use an approximate location (neighborhood or nearest transit), not your exact address.
• Give a clear price (or mark it free) and, for events, a clear date and time.
• Describe the home/item/event, not who can use it — keep housing language Fair-Housing-safe.
• Nothing on the Prohibited listings list; keep it honest and accurate.
• Add at least one real photo (your own, not stock).

Post a listing