Filling vacancies can be a very hard task, especially for beginner property managers. You need to market the vacant property for rent, pre-screen interested prospects that contact you to see if they would be a good fit and arrange a property showing. Showing rental property to prospective tenants is actually one of the key roles of a property management company.
Related: 10 Common Property Manager Responsibilities
Rental property showings are a great opportunity to show your client’s property in its best light and attract the best tenants. Normally, the best rental applicants want a rental property that is in pristine condition. And since it’s the first time you are meeting the potential tenants, you want to make a great first impression.
But how do I show a rental property and get them to sign a lease agreement?
In this blog, we are going to discuss the top tips for showing rental property to prospective tenants like a pro. So, keep reading.
Showing Rental Property to Prospective Tenants: 10 Best Tips
1. Fix Any Needed Repairs
The first step to showing rental units is to get them in a rentable condition. This means that you need to fix any repairs before you show them. It’s hard for a potential tenant to see the positive features of a rental property if it looks dilapidated and in need of maintenance. Also, make sure that all appliances are working properly. Depending on your agreement with the rental property owner, be sure to run any major repairs and their costs by the owner before moving forward.
2. Do a Thorough Cleaning
Another crucial tip for showing rental property to prospective tenants is to do a thorough cleaning. Nothing can turn a prospective renter away like a dirty and smelly house or apartment.
If you are showing a rental property with tenants, inspect the property prior to the showing to make sure that its cleanliness meets the required standards. You can hire a professional cleaning service to clean their unit if necessary.
Related: What Has to Be Cleaned During Turnover Time in a Rental Property?
3. Stage the Rental Property
Prospective tenants should be able to visualize themselves living in the rental unit you are showing. Therefore, before they view the unit, make sure that it is strategically furnished and decorated. You can even use rented furniture.
Moreover, you should get rid of personal items like family photos if you’re showing a rental property with tenants. When staging for rent, the house should also have an appropriate temperature and enough lighting.
4. Improve Curb Appeal
The exterior of a rental property is what prospective tenants see first from the street when they pull up. Therefore, it should give a great first impression. You can boost curb appeal in the following ways:
- Create a flower bed
- Repaint the front door
- Install outdoor lighting
- Do a mailbox makeover
- Take care of the lawn
- Clean the gutters
- Design a clear path to the front door
Related: Forced Appreciation: 11 Genius Ideas to Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Property
5. Be Informed
Providing information about a rental property is a key aspect of showing rental property to prospective tenants. You should be prepared to answer any questions they might have.
Prior to the property showing, make sure you have the general information about the rental property. This includes square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, additional amenities, application fee, monthly rent, security deposit amounts, nearby social amenities, and public transportation, etc.
Making a prospective tenant feel well informed about the rental unit and the neighborhood can go a long way in securing a lease agreement.
6. Conduct Individual Showings
A property manager can show a rental property in different ways. While a rental open house can save you a lot of time and create a sense of demand for the rental, it has some drawbacks and may not always be ideal. First, it makes it difficult for you to highlight the property’s features. It’s also hard to effectively attend to all prospective tenants.
We recommend that, whenever possible, you should schedule individual showings. Individual rental property showings will not only give prospective tenants a better experience but also allow you to learn more about them.
In some cases, virtual showings may be ideal. For instance, during this COVID-19 outbreak, virtually showing the rental property can minimize personal contact and alleviate the potential transmission of the infectious virus.
7. Be Professional
Another strategy that can give you great success when showing a rental property is showcasing that you are a kind and helpful professional. Dress well, be on time, and greet potential tenants warmly and with a smile. You want to give the best impression of not only the rental property but also of yourself.
It’s important that you treat everyone as though they are the best tenant. You can never know who will apply. Furthermore, since you are yet to run a background check, you still don’t know who the ideal tenant is.
8. Show the Property When Current Tenants Are Not There
Showing a rental property with tenants can be quite challenging. Both the current and prospective tenants are likely to be uncomfortable with the whole process. As a property manager, it can be worrying since you don’t have full control over how the property will look.
The best way to handle this situation is to agree with the current tenants on the ideal time to schedule a property showing. To avoid an invasion of their personal space, this should be a time when they are not around, perhaps during their working hours. Remember, you should do it politely and give them a notice at least 24 hours ahead of time.
9. Know Your Selling Points
If you are showing rental property to prospective tenants, you will not achieve much success if you just sit back and let them wander through the property. You should know the important features to highlight beforehand. You need to show them how they can benefit from living there. You’ll do this by pointing out the best features of the rental unit.
These selling points can influence a potential tenant to lease your property management client’s rental They could include storage space, updated appliances, beautiful views, walk-in closets, pool, roof deck, etc.
10. Avoid Steering Prospective Tenants
When showing rental property to prospective tenants, you should also avoid steering them. They should be able to see all parts of the rental unit unless it’s their decision to skip a particular area. This is more helpful to them and will also help you avoid any liability claims.
The Bottom Line
Showing rental property to prospective tenants doesn’t have to be stressful. Just keep in mind that what you do before and during the rental property showing will determine how the prospects see the property. If you follow these tips, you will be able to win over the most qualified potential tenants. You can then move onto the next step, which is requesting them to fill and submit a rental application.
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