If you’re on the hunt for a new rental home, touring the units is a major step in finding the ideal place. However, scheduling showings with property managers can be time-consuming, especially with our busy schedules.
Digital technology has given us listings with plenty of photos and virtual walk-throughs, but these tools sometimes fall short of providing a full sense of the property. This may be why 83% of renters opt for self-guided tours rather than other options.
Self-guided rental home tours offer many benefits, but they also have a few drawbacks. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons before opting for a self-guided tour in your rental home search.
Pros
- Convenient for those with busy schedules. Unlike traditional tours, where you need to arrange a meeting with a landlord or agent, self-guided tours provide access to the property at your own convenience. You pick a time that suits you, receive an access code, and visit the property when it’s convenient for you.
- For security purposes, self-guided tours are never double-booked which prevents you from having awkward encounters with others who may 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 pressure to rush or mask your true feelings if you’re not impressed with the property. Moreover, some renters enjoy the absence of someone asking revealing questions or pressuring them to decide on the spot. Most people don’t want to feel rushed into making decisions, particularly big 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 ensures the protection of the current tenant’s interests. Self-showings are only suitable for renting out 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. You can always text or email someone afterward, but some questions might slip your mind 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. Without someone there, you might not learn about these details until later in your search.
If you’re looking for a new home to rent in Irving or nearby, Real Property Management MidTown 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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