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The Pros and Cons of Self-Guided Property Tours

A couple stands together smiling in an empty room while touring a potential rental home.Searching for a new rental home involves touring units, which is a big part of finding the perfect fit. Arranging showings with property managers, however, can be quite time-consuming, particularly in our hectic lives.

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 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. Weighing the pros and cons is important before deciding on a self-guided tour during your rental home search.

Pros

  • Convenient for those with busy schedules. In contrast to traditional tours that involve coordinating with a landlord or agent, self-guided tours let you access the property whenever it suits you. 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 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 prefer not having anyone around to ask prying questions or make them feel rushed into a 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 measure is taken to protect the interests of the current tenant. Self-showings are only appropriate for leasing properties that are vacant. 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. 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. These are things that a landlord or leasing professional should explain to you when you tour a property. If no one is accompanying you, you might not learn about these things until later in your search.

If you’re looking for a new home to rent in Las Vegas or nearby, Real Property Management Peace 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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