If you’re looking for a new rental home, you understand that touring units is crucial to finding the right one. That said, coordinating showings with property managers can be a time-consuming process, especially in our busy 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 might explain why 83% of renters favor self-guided property tours over any other options.
Self-guided rental home tours offer many benefits, but they also have a few drawbacks. 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 ensuring you won’t have uncomfortable interactions with people who might also be interested in the same rental house.
- Freedom to explore the rental home without a landlord or rental agent looking over your shoulder. You won’t need to feel hurried or hide your honest reaction if the property isn’t to your liking. Some renters also appreciate not having someone present to ask intrusive questions or make them feel like they need to make a hasty 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.
Cons
- 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. To tour a rental that’s still occupied, you’ll need to be accompanied by the landlord or property manager.
- Questions will need to wait until after the self-guided tour. You can always send a text or email later, but you may forget certain questions 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.
If you’re looking for a new home to rent in Bethany or nearby, Real Property Management Enterprises 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.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
