For many, renting is the smarter choice due to its financial predictability (no surprise maintenance costs or taxes) and lifestyle flexibility (easy relocation and access to premium amenities). Property owners should capitalize by investing in proactive upgrades and offering flexible lease terms to boost long-term retention. A key technology trend for leasing is the self-guided property tour, which 83% of renters prefer for its convenience and freedom, enabled by smart access control and IoT devices. While self-guided tours are great for vacant units and busy schedules, they carry the cons of requiring follow-up for questions and being unavailable for occupied units.
Searching for a new rental home involves touring units, which is a big part of finding the perfect fit. Arranging showings with property managers, however, can be quite time-consuming, particularly in our hectic lives.
Advances in digital technology now offer listings with numerous photos and virtual walk-throughs, but these tools don’t always provide a complete sense of the property. This could be why 83% of renters choose self-guided property tours over all other methods.
While self-guided rental home tours have many advantages, they also come with a few disadvantages. Considering the pros and cons is crucial before selecting a self-guided tour in your rental home search.
- Convenient for those with busy schedules. In contrast to traditional tours that involve coordinating with a landlord or agent, self-guided tours let you access the property whenever it suits you. You choose a convenient time, receive an access code, and then head to the property when you’re ready.
- For security purposes, self-guided tours are never double-booked so you won’t have uncomfortable meetings with people who could be competing for the same rental property.
- Freedom to explore the rental home without a landlord or rental agent looking over your shoulder. There’s no need to feel pressured for time or hide your genuine reaction if the property doesn’t appeal to you. Some renters also prefer not having anyone around to ask prying questions or make them feel rushed into a decision. People generally don’t want to be rushed into decisions, especially when it’s about where they’ll live for the next few months or years.
- Occupied rentals won’t be available for self-guided tours. This is intended to protect the interests of the current tenant. Self-showings are best suited for leasing rental properties that are already vacant. The landlord or property manager must accompany you to tour a rental that’s not yet vacant.
- Questions will need to wait until after the self-guided tour. Even though you can text or email questions later, you might forget to ask some during the tour.
- Potential to miss out on learning a lot of helpful information about the area. A landlord or leasing agent should be able to share this information with you when you view the property. Without someone present, you may miss out on these details until further along in your search.
Attracting and keeping the best long-term tenants requires specialized skill. If you’re a tenant looking for a new home to rent in Houston or nearby, Real Property Management Sugarland offers flexible touring options for great homes near you. If you’re looking for a new home to rent in Houston or nearby, Real Property Management Sugarland offers flexible touring options for great homes near you. Feel free to check out our available rentals for more information and to schedule a viewing.
Originally Published on Aug 19, 2022