What is HotPads?
HotPads is a FREE, map-based housing search engine available nationwide. At HotPads, we think it should be easier to find housing and are dedicated to improving the home-searching process for everyone involved. We are dedicated to offering our users the best communication platform for sharing information about available housing.We hope that this section is helpful in answering your questions. However, if you cannot find what you are looking for, please don't hesitate to email us!
Getting Started
- What is HotPads?
- Is HotPads really completely free?!?
- How do I create an account?
- How do I list my property on HotPads?
- Where will my listings be distributed?
- Where can I see all of HotPads' features?
Searching HotPads
- How can I search for a place?
- What is a Text Search?
- How do I use the map search?
- What do the different-sized buildings mean?
- What are the HUGE building icons/ blue boxes in the corner?
- Are there more advanced search options?
- Are there any other places I can search, like Facebook?
- Why can't you find any listings that match my criteria?
Selecting a Listing
- How do I tell my friend about a particular listing?
- How can I save a listing?
- How do I contact a property?
- How do I access my favorites?
- How do I save a search?
- How can I get email alerts or set up an RSS feed for new properties?
Creating a Listing
- Who can list on HotPads (for free)?
- How do I create a listing?
- How do I set the location?
- How do I add details?
- How do I add pictures?
- How do I upload floor plans?
- How do I add additional listings?
- How do I activate my listing(s)?
- How do I deactivate a listing?
- Can I make a permanent listing?
- How do I edit existing listings?
Featured Listings
- What are Featured Listings?
- What do I get for featuring my listings?
- How much does it cost?
- What is the duration of the Featured Listings campaign?
- When are my Featured Listings displayed?
- How do I set up Featured Listings?
- How can I edit my Featured Listings?
- How do I track my listing campaigns?
Creating a Company
- Why should I create a company account?
- Can I list multiple places without creating a company?
- How do I create a company?
- How can I edit the company information?
- How do I invite new managers?
- How do I list my property on HotPads?
- How do I assign "Property Permissions"?
- Can I give more than one manager permission for a particular property?
- How do I remove a manager from a property?
- How do I remove a manager from the company?
- How can I syndicate feeds of listings to HotPads.com?
Where can I get more information about...
Other FAQs and Assorted Questions
- Help! I forgot my password :(
- I forgot my account email address.
- How do I change my password?
- What are the terms of use of this page?
- Apparently my question is not "Frequently Asked." What's your contact info?
About HotPads.com
- Honestly, why did you name your company HotPads?
- Tell me more about HotPads. (please)
- Do you guys blog?
- What about partnership opportunities?
- How can I advertise on HotPads?
- I want to write an article about HotPads. Do you have a press page?
- I have a comment/suggestion/tip. How do I contact you?
What is HotPads?
HotPads is a FREE, map-based housing search engine available nationwide.
At HotPads, we think it should be easier to find housing and are dedicated to improving the home-searching process for everyone involved. We are dedicated to offering our users the best communication platform for sharing information about available housing.
Top
Is HotPads really completely free?!?
We sure are. We believe that charging to list a property inevitably diminishes the effectiveness of a site so we are dedicated to providing a free-to-list, free-to-search, free-to-everything listing service. And no, we don't charge a "finders' fee" after we find you a tenent either. You don't have to pay a cent for using HotPads (but we do accept donations if you really want to pay us.)
We want to provide our users with the most comprehensive "inventory" of available housing as possible. We believe that the only way to achieve this content is to make the site free for everyone to post. That way, nobody would be discouraged from posting and all parties can advertise their properties on HotPads, regardless of their advertising budgets.
Top
How do I create an account?
You do not need an account to search the site or view property information. However, you do need to register in order to list a property or use our advanced searching functions (like saving your search or adding notes).
Creating an account only takes a second. Just click Create an Account in the upper corner, enter your name & email and choose a password. That's it... you don't have to confirm an email or anything.
Top
How do I list my property on HotPads?
We encourage anyone to post their available houses, condos, townhomes, apartments, rental houses, sublets, and roommate opportunities. If you've got a place, there's someone out there who wants it. Whether you are a property manager with hundreds of units or just want to rent out your basement, listing your property on HotPads is free. Other sites might charge you to do the same thing, but we don't see the need.
To get started, you must first create an account (we need an email and password to keep track of your listings.) Then, click "list a place" and enter the address of your property. That's all we need, the rest is up to you. You can decide how detailed to make your listing, but we encourage you to provide as much information as possible.
You can use the quick form to enter basic info, give a detailed description, and add photos of your property. Or, use our advanced listing form to add more details like amenities, floorplans, and much more.
See the detailed "help" section for creating a listing.
Top
Where will my listings be distributed?
HotPads helps people find your listings by sending them out to our network of distribution partners.
Each apartment, condo, house, townhouse, sublet or roommate you list on HotPads gets automatically distributed to these distribution partners to maximize your listing's exposure.
For more information, check out our page on Top
Where can I see all of HotPads features?
You can see a complete list of all of HotPads features on our "Features Page". This page highlights various functions and features of HotPads and demonstrates the uniqueness of our site. You can click any of the thumbnails for more detailed information about each feature.
Top
Searching HotPads
How can I search for a place?
You can search HotPads by:
1) Clicking on a State within the center map.
OR
2) Typing in a Location on the search bar on the bottom of the screen.
OR
3) Clicking on a Popular City on the left, if any of them apply.
Top
What is a Text Search?
Text search provides the search results in a list. If you prefer a list of properties as opposed to a map-based presentation, this is the way to go.
Top
How do I use the map search?
Our map-based search technology makes searching easier and more informative than traditional list-based services. By displaying the properties on a map, users can easily visualize the building's location in relation to specific points of interest.
1) Edit the search criteria by using the menu on the upper right corner of the screen:
2) Zoom in closer to the map by using the zoom tool in the upper left corner of the screen.
3) Click on individual building icons to see housing details.
Top
What do the different-sized buildings mean?
We have five building types:
= Large Apartment Community
= Medium Apartment Building
=Small Apartment Building
= Single Family HomeClick on the MORE button in the criteria menu to select the types of buildings you are looking for.
Top
What are the HUGE building icons/ blue boxes in the corner?
You may notice that there are one or two really large icons on the map when you a searching or notice the blue boxes in the corner of your screen. Those are "featured listings" of properties that match your search criteria that we think you might be interested in.
As you scroll and change your search preferences, some featured listings may disappear because they no longer fit what you are looking for.
Top
Are there more advanced search options?
There sure are. Click on MORE on the search menu on the upper right corner of the screen.
There, you can adjust the type of building, the maximum and minimum rent, define the number of rooms, and perform a location (address, city, or state) search.
Top
Are there any other places I can search, like Facebook?
Yes, we do have a Facebook Application! HotPads Facebook App allows Facebook users to look for roommates and post sublets within their networks and share rental or for sale home listings with their friends.
Housing is inherently social - group dinners/bbqs, parties, clean-up detail, movie watching, music sharing, etc. The HotPads Facebook App allows users to tap their networks (friends and friends of friends) to set-up the best living situation possible...whether it be the big move off-campus, summer internship housing, or just living in the "real-world."
Top
Why can't you find any listings that match my criteria?
There might be times when we do not have listings that match your criteria. We currently have hundreds of thousands listings across the nation and that list is rapidly growing. However, there are still some areas where we have room to grow.
You may want to try modifying your criteria. If you can't find a 10 bedroom mansion in LA for less than $200 a month, it's probably because that property doesn't exist.
We apologize if you are not able to locate a place - however, please check back often as new listings are posted every minute!
Top
There are too many choices! How do I narrow my search?
We love it when that happens!
(And, with hundreds of thousands of listings active on our site, it's no wonder sometimes there are simply too many listings in a particular area for you to go through.)
To resolve this issue, you can:
zoom in to limit your search to a more specific area
or
you can change your filtering criteria.
Here, you can adjust the listing type, price range, and number of bedrooms to filter the listings according to your preferences.
Top
How Do I use your heat maps?
Heat maps visually display census data to give you a better feel for areas. HotPads currently uses census data to color code our map based on a few different statistics:- Population Density
- Per Capita Income
- Median Household Income
- Median Age
- Percent Renters
- Median Rent
In addition to those helpful heat maps, we also have color coded our maps with foreclosure information. These illustrate foreclosure rates and help users track historical foreclosure trends. For more information and sample markets, check out our foreclosure heat maps or see for yourself by clicking the map below!
Top
How do I tell my friend about a particular listing?
From the full view, simply click on the "Email a Friend" icon.
Enter your friend's email address, as well as your email address, and any message you want to include. An email will be sent to your friend's address with your message and a link to the property's listing on HotPads.
Top
How can I save a listing?
On the full view, click the "Add to favorites" icon. Make sure that you are logged in! If you have not yet created an account, you will be prompted to create one at this time. Don't worry, it only takes a second!
To access the listings that you have saved, click on the "My Favorites" link in the top, right-hand corner of your screen.
Top
How can I save my search?
We added the ability to save searches and return to them later.
To save one, just zoom to the location you're interested in, set your pricing and bedroom criteria, and hit "Save this Search" in the blue box on the top of the screen.
To find one and two bedroom rentals between $2,000 and $3,000 in the Financial District of Manhattan.... well, your screen should look like this:
Hit "Save this search" at the top of the page and you will be taken to a page where you can give your search a name and edit any information you want. If you're logged in, your search will show up on the home page and on the "My Searches" page.
Top
How can I get email alerts or set up an RSS feed for new properties?
If you want email alerts about new properties matching your search. You can choose to have them sent to you either daily or weekly... we even added an HOURLY option as well for anyone who really wants to stay on top of their searches. We will send you new, relevant listings in an email depending on your preference! (Anyone want minute-by-minute updates???)
Add your search to your RSS Reader to get updates on listings that match your criteria. We will send a feed of all the listings that you have not already seen in your search on hotpads!
All you have to do is filter the listings, then select "RSS Feed of this page"
You will then select which feed reader you would like to use and will see what the RSS feed will look like:
Top
How do I contact a property?
There are two ways to contact a particular property from the full listing.
You can send an email to the property manager by clicking the "email manager" icon.
You can enter your contact information, as well as any specific questions or requirements in the form.
If you would prefer to communicate with the property manager in person, you can also click the "call or visit" icon.
There, the property's contact information will be displayed including the phone number, fax (if available), property website, and office hours.
Top
How do I access my favorites?
Click on the Favorites link on the upper-right corner of the screen.
Top
Who can list on HotPads (for free)?
Anyone can list on HotPads for free, you don't have to be a property manager. But if you are a property manager or have multiple buildings you would like to list, that is great too. We encourage everyone who has home to sell or unit to rent to create a listing!
Top
How do I create a Listing?
Creating a listing on HotPads is free and easy. To see the 5 quick steps to creating your listing, please check out the Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Listing.
There is also a video guide that shows you the listing creation process in action.
Top
How do I set the location?
Select Location on the "Manager Menu".
It's very important to set the location of your listing - otherwise it won't show up on the map. Enter your address and click the Lookup above Address button. The map below the button should adjust to that address. If the address is not found, further instructions will be displayed.
Click the Save Changes button to move on to the rest of the info.
Top
How do I add details?
Select Details on the "Manager Menu". On the "Details" page, you can add additional information about your listing. To add amenities, type each amenity into the "Add new" text box, and click Add. Each amenity is permanently saved immediately.
Top
How do I add pictures?
You can add as many photos as you'd like. They can be .jpg, .gif, or .bmp format.
First, use the Browse button to locate the desired photo on your computer. Type in the optional label and/or caption.
Then click Upload, and the photo will appear in a few seconds below the "Current photos" heading. (slow connections might take longer)
The first one will be the "primary photo" for your listing, but can be changed with the Set as primary photo button.
After the primary photo, repeat this process for each additional photo... the more the better.
Top
How do I upload floor plans?
The "Floor Plans" section is only available to listings that are large buildings, small/medium apartment buildings, or divided houses. If want to add floor plans to condominium units or single-family houses, you may do so in the "Photos" section. This page lets you upload multiple floor plans and then add pictures, specifications, descriptions, and floor plan specific amenities.
Click the Add a new floor plan button. Type the floor plan's name in the "Name" field, and then click on the browse button to locate the floor plan image file on your system. Now click the Add button.
A number of new fields will appear. Fill in any additional information fields that you would like to provide for the floor plan. Be sure click the Save Changes button to save your work.
Top
How do I add additional listings?
You can create as many listings as you want. Just click on the Add a Property link in the "Manager Menu."
Top
How do I activate my listing(s)?
You can activate your listing for a maximum of 32 days.
Submit.
Top
How do I deactivate a listing?
Go to the "My Properties" link to display all of your property listings. For the property you wish to deactivate, select Active displayed under the "Listing Status." Click Deactivate now.
Top
Can I make a permanent listing?
Yes. If you are listing a large property with year-round vacancy, a permanent listing might be wanted.
To do so, select Activate/Deactivate in the "Manager Menu". Then click the Request Permanent Listing button. Photos must be included with the listing in order for your request to be approved.
Please note: You must still activate your listing for 32 days within the "Activate/Extend Listing" box.
Once you have been approved, you can activate/deactivate the listing by going to the View All Properties link. For the property you wish to activate/deactivate, select Not Active/Active displayed under the "Listing Status". Click Activate or Deactivate.
Top
How do I edit existing listings?
Go to "My Properties" to view the list of all your properties. Select the property you wish to edit. Make the desired changes and click Save Changes.
If you are currently previewing a listing, click on edit in the top right corner of your listing.
Top
Why should I create a company account?
You should create a company account if you are managing a portfolio of multiple properties and would like to assign permissions to different property managers to manage individual listings.
Once a company is created, your management company's name and logo can be displayed, as well as a link to your company's web page at the bottom of each listing.
Top
What are Featured Listings?
With over 130,000 rental properties and 2 million homes for sale, HotPads has amassed quite a large inventory of housing and has become one of the most popular websites for housing shoppers. However, with so many high-quality listings on HotPads, some housing providers have been looking for ways to make their properties stand out from the crowd. Featured Listings allow you housing providers to spotlight their listings and receive more leads.
Find out more about Featured Listings.
Top
What do I get for featuring my listings?
Featured Listings will show up on our maps as visually stunning buildings and can't-miss preview panels.
Because of these features, Featured Listings are viewed an average of 5 times as frequently as non-featured listings.
Find out more about Featured Listings.
Top
How much does it cost?
We think that advertising should be customizable to each housing provider based on their individual demands, needs, and budgets. Therefore, we have initiated a pricing plan that is left up to you, the housing provider. So, YOU set the Cost Per Day (CPD) per property and the Number of Days to feature your properties.
Auction
The way we determine how often to display your listing is on an "Auction Basis." Say, for example you set the maximum Cost Per Day to be $4 and another provider in the same market sets their's to be $1. We will then display your featured listings 4 times as frequently as those of the person with a CPD of $1.
As always, please feel free email us at FeatureMe@hotpads.com if you have any questions about pricing.
Find out more about pricing for our Featured Listings.
Top
What is the duration of the Featured Listings campaign?
Like pricing, we realize that everybody's needs differ when it comes toi wanting more exposure for your property. Therefore, we let YOU set the duration of your campaign from a few days, to a few months, to a year!
Find out more about our Featured Listings.
Top
When are my Featured Listings displayed?
Since you are paying for users to view your property more often, it is important that your featured listings are only showed to relevant users. Therefore, we will only feature your listing when it matches the search criteria of a particular user.
We match your featured listing campaigns with various criteria from our users including:
Category We will only show your "for sale" listings when a user is searching in the "For Sale" or "Buy vs. Rent" search portals. That means you won't be getting impressions from renters who are not looking to buy at this time.
Geography If your property is in Washington, DC, it will only be displayed when our users are searching for properties in DC.
Pricing We match the pricing in your featured listings with the price range specified by the user. If your property is above or below the monthly payments or total payment that a user wants to pay, then your listing will not be displayed.
Type Similarly, if a user specified that (s)he is looking for an apartment in a large community and you have a featured single family home, you will not be charged for an impression.
Basically, we strive to ensure that you receive additional leads. To do this, we ensure that your featured listings are displayed only when they match the search criteria of a particular user. This means that your featured property will not be displayed when it is not relevant to the user and thus you will not be charged for views by mismatched housing shoppers.
Top
How do I set up Featured Listings?
Featuring your listings on HotPads is quick and easy
- Select Your Listings and Set Your Price
- Confirm Your Order
- Check Out
For more details and a step-by-step guide to featuring your listings, take a look at the Setting Up Your Featured Listings.
Or watch this helpful video introduction:
(To skip these steps and learn on the fly, get started now!)
Top
>How can I edit my Featured Listings?
The default Featured Listing box is your primary listing photo and your pricing information, but you can edit the way your blue box appears by changing the photo and setting a custom message. To do this, click on the "edit" link beside your Featured Listing.
Top
How do I track my listing campaigns?
Once you have set up your featured listings, you can keep track of how many impressions and clicks you get through our handy "Listing Campaign Summary" chart.
From the tracking page of your Featured Liistings, you can also see a list of all open campagins, like at the detailed summary of each individual listing, as well as track your campaigns by date.
Top
Can I list multiple places without creating a company?
Yes, you may create as many listings as you want without making a company account.
All of these properties will be grouped into your account and you are able to view all of your listings by clicking on the "My Properties" tab.
Top
How do I create a company?
First, sign-in to your account using your e-mail address and password.
Click on the My Account link in the Navigation Menu. Then, click Create a Company in the Account sidebar.and fill out your company name and web site. If you wish, you may upload a company logo that will appear with your company name on your listings.
Hit Save Changes and you are done.
Top
How can I edit the company information?
Click Company Info in the Manager Menu. Enter the new information and push Save Changes.
Top
How do I invite new managers?
Top
How do I list my property on HotPads?
Click on the "Invite New Manager" tab.
Enter the email address of the person who you would like to give permission to one or multiple properties. When you click Submit, HotPads will send your manager an invitation notification with a temporary password informing them that they have been added to your company's account.
Repeat to add as many managers as you would like.
Top
How do I assign "Property Permissions"?
Once you have invited your managers, you'll need to designate which managers will have permission to manage individual properties. First click on the Property Permissions link in the "Manager Menu."
The complete list of your company properties will display. For each property there is an "Add Manager" link. Select the property that you would like to assign a manager to, and click the Add Manager link.
This will display a list of all managers who you have invited to your company's account. Locate the manager that you would like to give permission to manage this particular property, and click on that manager's name.
They have now been given permission to manage this property.
Top
Can I give more than one manager permission for a particular property?
Yes, you can add multiple managers to each property. To add more managers to this property or others, simply repeat the process.
Top
How do I remove a manager from a property?
Click on Property Permissions in the Manager Menu. Select the manager you wish to remove and click View/Remove Managers .
Top
How do I remove a manager from the company?
Click on Manager Permissions in your Manager Menu to display a list of the managers you have invited. Select the manager name and click Remove Manager from Company.
Top
How can I syndicate feeds of listings to HotPads.com?
If you will be sending HotPads a lot of listings, you may want to create an automated feed. (Otherwise, you can create them one at a time) There are many ways of doing this, but the most common is for you to run through your listing database every night and save all the listings in a big xml file on your web server. Our servers will download that file at a time when it's guaranteed to be finished.
For more information on setting up a feed of your listings, please see the instructions on our feeds page.
Top
Do you have any information for renters?
We do have a Renters Guide with lots of information about Renting, Hunting, Decorating, and Living in an apartment or rental property. We are constantly adding to the Renters Guide so make sure to check back often for tips, hints, and tricks. And, as always, please don't hesitate to contact us to ask questions or make suggestions if there is something that you would like more information about!Top
I'm interested in learning more about insurance.
It's easy to find your new house on HotPads, but don't let a burglary, fire or flood ruin the fun. See the Insurance Center for more info.
We have lots of information about Renters Insurance, Home Owners Insurance, even Auto Insurance and Life Insurance for both renters and homebuyers!
Top
Help! I forgot my password :(
I hate it when that happens, but don't worry. Proceed to the sign-in page and scroll to the bottom of the page. Enter your email address, and your password will be sent to your registered email account.
Top
I forgot my account email address.
Ok this one is a bit trickier...
Unfortunately, we can't find your account without the correct email... But keep trying and you'll get it! (If not, you can always create a new account.)
Top
How do I change my password?
Sign into your existing account. Then, click on your email address link at the top to edit your user information. There, your password can be changed.
Top
What are the terms of use of this page?
The link is located at the bottom of our homepage. Click Terms of Use to go there now.Top
Apparently my question is not "Frequently Asked." What's your contact info?
You can email us and we'll get back to you ASAP. We promise.
Top
Honestly, why did you name your company HotPads?
Honestly, why do you have your name?
Top
Tell me more about HotPads. (please)
You can learn tons more (maybe an exaggeration) about HotPads from our About us page.
Or you could just ask: send us an email!
Top
Do you guys blog?
Of course! For more information about our company, general real estate news, and renters' tips make sure to check out HotPads Daily: The Official Blog of HotPads.com.
Top
What about partnership opportunities?
We are very interested in building relationships with other idealistic companies. If you think your company would be a good fit with HotPads, just send us an email at info@hotpads.com.
Top
How can I advertise on HotPads?
HotPads caters to a defined demographic group; young, motivated buyers engaged in a very particular behavior: looking for their next new house, condo or apartment.
The narrow scope of HotPads lets you target your customers in the context of the moving and renting experience. Movers need new products and services... and they need them soon.
Since HotPads knows where our visitors are looking for housing, advertisers can target their customers by geography as well.
To learn more about advertising on Hotpads, please check out our page: advertising on HotPads. Or, you can view our media kit by clicking the thumbnail below:
Top
I want to write an article about HotPads. Do you have a press page?
Thanks! We love when people write articles about us. Here's a link to some of our past press: Press page.
You can also email us at info@hotpads.com.
Top
I have a comment/suggestion/tip
Great, we are constantly trying to improve HotPads. We love feedback. Please send any suggestions or comments you have to info@hotpads.com.
You can also participate in discussions and contact us through our blog.
