When it comes to showing a Raleigh rental property, many new landlords simply arrive at the scheduled time with little preparation. In this article, we will discuss the steps towards an effective and safe showing of your rental home.
Prioritize your personal safety. Inform a friend or family member about your schedule. Also, give them an update each time you show up at the rental property, leave, and reach your next destination. The process is similar to taking a hike in that you have no idea what may happen when you are outdoors. Never forget that you are meeting strangers at your Raleigh rental property, not friends and family. Stay safe.
Arrive at your rental property at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. Doing this will give you the chance to quickly get rid of stray garbage that may have blown in, check the mailbox, and even pull that annoying weed by the front door. Inside, you can open the blinds and set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature before your prospective renters appear. These small touch-ups only use up a few minutes but can make a significant difference in the prospective tenants’ first impression.
Upon the arrival of your prospective renters, greet them at the front porch and begin showing them your property. To promote your personal safety, let them enter first. Always position yourself nearest to the exit areas while showing the home. At this point, put your best foot forward in pointing out the amenities of the home. That includes lighting, flooring, and other special features. Brief your prospective tenants about the appliances that will stay with the home. Remember to include other important details that they must know, such as parking or common interest community restrictions. Acquaint them with the nearby public transportation, shopping, and other points of interest in relation to the home.
Be with your prospective residents but don’t linger – allow them to explore the home. Give them room to discuss features as well. Your aim in showing your Raleigh rental property is to let prospective renters envision themselves living in the home. The more points you can make that will help them feel satisfied and like they have come to a place called home, the better.
Once the tour is finished, ask them if they would like to fill out an application to lease. Keep in mind not to make comments that may lead renters to think they are qualified for the home. This is because you never know what the approval process will reveal. Create a sense of urgency with your prospective renters about the application – warn them that you have other appointments and will be processing applications on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, give them a timeline for your decision.
A suitable and well-planned agenda can increase your personal safety. This makes you feel not rushed during this crucial step in renting your investment property.
If you have questions about Raleigh property management, particularly about showing your property, contact us now.
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.
