If you’re looking for a new rental home, you understand that touring units is crucial to finding the right one. Arranging showings with property managers, however, can be quite time-consuming, particularly in our hectic lives.
Thanks to digital technology, we now have listings with numerous photos and virtual tours, but these tools don’t always give the full picture of the property. This likely explains why 83% of renters prefer self-guided property tours to other options.
There are definitely several benefits to self-guided rental home tours, but a few drawbacks exist too. Before choosing a self-guided tour for your rental home search, it’s essential to consider both the pros and cons.
Pros
- Convenient for those with busy schedules. In contrast to a traditional tour, where you must arrange to meet a landlord or agent, self-guided tours allow you to explore the property on your schedule. You request a time that works for you, receive an access code, and visit the property at your chosen time.
- For security purposes, self-guided tours are never double-booked so you won’t run into other potential renters who might be competing for the same rental home.
- 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. Moreover, some renters enjoy the absence of someone asking revealing questions or pressuring them to decide on the spot. Most people don’t like being rushed into decisions, especially important ones like where they’ll be living for the next few months or years.
Cons
- Occupied rentals won’t be available for self-guided tours. This is done to safeguard the current tenant’s interests. Self-showings are appropriate only for leasing vacant properties. You’ll need to have the landlord or property manager with you to tour a rental that isn’t 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 professional leasing agent should be able to inform you about these things when you view a property. If no one is present, you may not find out about these things until later in your search.
If you’re looking for a new home to rent in Florence or nearby, Real Property Management Steel City 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
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