If you’re on the hunt for a new rental home, touring the units is a major step in finding the ideal place. That said, coordinating showings with property managers can be a time-consuming process, especially in our busy lives.
Digital technology advancements have brought us listings filled with photos and virtual walk-throughs, but these tools sometimes aren’t sufficient to fully experience the property. This could be why 83% of renters choose self-guided property tours over all other methods.
Self-guided rental home tours offer many benefits, but they also have a few drawbacks. It’s vital to evaluate the pros and cons before deciding on a self-guided tour while searching for a rental home.
Pros
- Convenient for those with busy schedules. Unlike traditional tours, which require scheduling a meeting with a landlord or agent, self-guided tours allow you to visit the property at your convenience. You select a convenient time slot, get an access code, and visit the property at your leisure.
- 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. Some renters also appreciate not having someone present to ask intrusive questions or make them feel like they need to make a hasty decision. 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 is intended to protect the interests of the current tenant. Self-showings are only suitable for leasing properties that are unoccupied. If the rental isn’t vacant yet, you’ll need to tour it with the landlord or property manager.
- Questions will need to wait until after the self-guided tour. Though you can text or email someone later, you might forget to ask some 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. If no one is with you, you may only discover these details later in your search process.
If you’re looking for a new home to rent in Miami or nearby, Real Property Management Allegiance 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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