When it comes to showing your rental property, there are some essential things to keep in mind. Take it from our team of certified property managers that have gone through the process hundreds of times. From before your rental applicants arrive up until they leave, there are specific steps you need to follow to maximize your time management and quickly weed out the less desirable renters.
1. Preparation is Key
First off, be prepared. When showing a rental property, it is always a good idea to spend a few minutes to make sure your ducks are in a row. Make a checklist if you have to.
- Do I have the keys?
- Do I have pens?
- Have I printed plenty of applications?
- Is the garbage taken out?
- Etc.
Sometimes, you are forced to show a rental with tenants still inside; be sure to give them plenty of notice to enter their home. This will provide them with time to tidy up (hopefully).
Know your property inside and out, so you are not searching for answers to curveball questions that might come up. If you don’t know something about the rental property that you are showing, I guarantee that someone will ask.
2. Book Appointments
If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right! Avoid on the fly showings as it will knock you off of your daily rhythm and give you less time to be prepared.
Having a scheduled showing will increase your chances of finding good tenants. The initial contact is the beginning of the interview process. By booking an appointment, you can tell if they respect your time by their punctuality. If these potential renters are a nightmare to deal with before you officially meet them, the chances are that they will only get worse as time goes on.
3. Presenting Your Rental
Being prepared extends to the presentation of the rental. Get inside well enough before your clients do to turn on lights, open blinds, flush the toilets etc. Act as if it is your own place.
I make it a habit of showing up 15 minutes before my first scheduled booking to give myself time to take care of loose ends. This is crucial if the rental property you are showing is currently occupied. Your rental property should be as show-worthy as possible to attract and impress great tenants.
Here are some ideas for getting your rental ready (if possible):
- Decluttering and removing any valuables.
- Put a fresh layer of paint on the walls.
- Replace heating and air conditioning filters.
- Clean windows.
- Fix anything that is broken.
- Ensure that appliances are working.
- Have the carpets professionally cleaned.
- Cut the grass or shovel the snow.
- Turn all the lights on – it makes the rental feel warmer
- Make sure the water pressure is good – they will turn on all taps!
4. Interviewing Your Potential Renters
When dealing with potential renters, you need to treat the process like a job interview. You’re the owner of the company, and they are coming to you. If someone is late or doesn’t show up to a scheduled meeting without notice, it isn’t likely that they will get the job.
Don’t waste time tracking down the people that stood you up. I recommend asking for people’s phone number to attach to their booking. This does two things for me: it lets me contact them if there is an issue on my end and it gives me a record beyond a simple first name. So if they have a habit of not showing up to a booked viewing, I can avoid wasting more time with them.
Our Rental Property Management Team Can Help
As always, these tips and tricks only go so far, and you will still be left dealing with nasty situations. Efficiently dealing with it takes years of experience. Luckily you know a property management company that can save you time. If you have a vacancy that you need to be rented, give us a call today.