Strategies for showing a rental property
Real estate can be a lucrative investment that provides income well into retirement. Real estate investors who intend to rent their properties will have to periodically show them to prospective tenants. The process of showing a rental property begins before such tenants arrive to look at the home. Landlords who want to get the best possible return on their real estate investments can consider these tips before showing their properties.
• Work with the existing tenants. If tenants are currently in the property, work with them to ensure that the home or apartment is ready to show. Landlords should provide advance notice when they will be showing the property so the current tenants have plenty of time to clean up and make arrangements to be elsewhere when prospective renters show up. Existing tenants likely will not want the place to be a mess during a showing, but they must have time to clean up.
• Address any problems before showing the property. Does a screen door need fixing? Does the shower need to be grouted? Address such matters before showing the property. Failure to do so will give prospective renters the impression that the landlord does not respond to problems promptly, and that may give them second thoughts about becoming a tenant.
• Be available. Landlords do not have to be present at a showing, and some prospective tenants might prefer to see a property with only their family present. But landlords should make themselves readily available, answering questions promptly via email, text message or over the phone if they do not plan to attend showings. This gives potential renters a strong first impression of an attentive landlord.
• Provide details about the property. Those who are utilizing a real estate agent to show the property can expect that the agent will create a listing that highlights various things about the home or apartment. This includes the number of rooms, utilities, parking and other details renters will want to know.
Landlords who are showing the property themselves should create such a packet for renters. This makes it easy for them to make a decision, and they will likely be impressed by the attention to detail.
Rental properties can be lucrative investments. Landlords willing to go the extra mile when showing such properties should be able to attract scores of potential tenants.