BlogVida práctica en Colombia

How to list a temporary rental in Colombia and receive more serious inquiries

Discover how to make your temporary rental stand out with the right photos, the exact price, and precise location to attract real prospects and avoid messages from curious onlookers.

Propietario colombiano fotografiando habitación temporal luminosa con celular, cama ordenada, luz natural y llaves sobre mesa de madera

IDIOMA DEL ARTÍCULO

Showing original language

Quick answer: To rent out your temporary housing without wearing yourself out answering empty messages, your ad must be a filter in itself. Always include clear photos with natural light, the exact price (no "info via DM"), the precise location, minimum stay rules, and included utilities. This way, whoever contacts you via WhatsApp already has the complete information and a real intention to rent.

If you have ever tried to rent a room, a studio apartment, or a house for days or weeks in Colombia, you surely know the frustration: you post on social media and five minutes later you have fifty comments saying "price" or "info," even though all the information was already in the text. At the end of the day, you answered dozens of messages and didn't close a single deal.

The demand exists, and it is very high. In fact, according to Colombia Move data (June 2026), the temporary category has only 1 active ad, well below the internal target of 8. Additionally, we recorded exactly 15 recent searches on the marketplace that found no results in this category. People are looking for places to stay, but you need to show your space strategically to connect with those who are actually going to rent.

1. The problem with groups versus a dedicated page

Facebook groups and other social networks are useful for generating quick buzz, but they have a serious problem: your post gets lost in a matter of hours under hundreds of memes, news, and other ads. Furthermore, the social media format encourages impulsive contact. People comment out of inertia without reading the details.

Having a dedicated and permanent page for your ad changes the dynamic. When a user uses a search engine or a structured marketplace, they are already filtering by city, budget, and type of space. As we explain in our guide on where to sell used items in Colombia, clarity in photos, price, and neighborhood makes the difference between a curious person and a real client in any type of classified ad.

2. Mandatory data to filter out curious people from the very first second

The most common mistake when posting temporary housing is holding back information to "negotiate" via chat. Watch out for this: lack of information does not generate interest, it generates distrust and attracts people with budgets that do not match yours.

  • Clear price and its basis: Is the value per night, per week, or per month? Be specific.
  • Real location: You don't have to give the exact address with the apartment number, but you do need the neighborhood and landmarks. Searching in El Poblado (Medellín) is not the same as needing something near a university in Cali or an annex in Chapinero (Bogotá).
  • Availability and minimum stay: Clarify if you require a minimum of three nights or if you only rent for full months.
  • House rules: Do you accept pets? Is smoking allowed? Are there visitor restrictions?

If you want to see how different offers are structured, you can take a look at the housing section to understand what users are looking for today.

3. Visual checklist: The photos that really close the deal

An ad without good photos is an invisible ad. You don't need a professional camera, but you do need common sense. Before taking photos with your cell phone, make sure you meet this checklist:

  • Natural light: Open the curtains and take the photos during the day. Avoid using the phone's flash, as it makes spaces look small and dark.
  • Impeccable order: The bed must be well-made, the dishes washed, and the bathroom sparkling. No one wants to imagine living in someone else's mess.
  • Key spaces: Show the main bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen (if applicable), and the workspace or living room.
  • Context: If you have a good view, a balcony, or are in a complex with a pool, include it. Those details sell.
Celular con pantalla de publicación de anuncio, campos de precio, mapa y notas junto a llaves sobre superficie de madera

4. Key differences from traditional renting

Renting by the day or week is not the same as looking for a tenant for a one-year contract. The temporary seeker profile values immediacy, included utilities (such as high-speed internet and public services), and flexibility.

While in a long-term rental the tenant worries about repairs or building management, here the guest seeks immediate comfort. To delve deeper into how to prepare your profile and your space specifically for this market, we recommend reviewing our previous article on how to post a temporary rental for serious tenants.

Do you also rent commercial spaces? Discover how to filter serious contacts when renting offices in Colombia.

5. Protect your WhatsApp and your time

One of the biggest fears when posting on the internet is privacy. On platforms like Colombia Move, contact is direct via WhatsApp, which speeds up the deal without intermediaries. However, you have full control of the interaction.

If someone writes to you asking something that is already in the ad, you can kindly reply with the link to your post. You don't have to answer calls at midnight or give in to uncomfortable haggling. Set your limits from the beginning and you will see how the quality of conversations improves drastically.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How much does it cost to post a temporary ad on Colombia Move?

According to the platform's current policies, posting your ad in the temporary housing category is free and no commission of any kind is charged for closing the deal.

❓ How do I get my ad to receive serious contacts and not curious ones?

The best strategy is absolute clarity: post the real price, the location (neighborhood or sector), exact availability, and the rules of the space. A complete ad automatically filters out those who do not meet your requirements.

❓ What photos and data should I include to rent out temporary housing?

Include illuminated photos of the bedroom, bathroom, common areas, and the facade or view. In the data, specify if it includes utilities (internet, water, electricity), the minimum stay time, and if it is furnished.

❓ Can I post from my cell phone? What happens after posting?

Yes, the process is designed for you to upload photos directly from your phone. Once posted, interested parties will see your ad in the search engine and will contact you directly on your WhatsApp.

❓ How do I avoid scams or people who are not serious when renting?

Keep conversations in writing to have a record, always verify that payments or transfers are real before handing over the keys, and be clear about the stay conditions from the first message.

❓ Is it worth posting if I already put the ad in Facebook groups?

Yes, it is an excellent complement. While your ad on Facebook disappears quickly from the feed, in a structured marketplace your post remains visible and easy to find for those actively searching with specific filters.

Get new Colombia guides by email

No spam. Just useful guides on Colombia — housing, work, community, and the marketplace.

Comments

Loading comments...

Checking sign-in status...

Keep reading

More useful guides around this topic.

All guides