Searching for a new rental home involves touring units, which is a big part of finding the perfect fit. However, setting up showings with property managers can take up a lot of time, especially when life is busy.
While digital advances have provided listings with lots of photos and virtual tours, these tools can sometimes fall short of giving a full sense of the property. This may be why 83% of renters opt for self-guided tours rather than other options.
Self-guided rental home tours certainly offer many perks, but they do come with some drawbacks. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons before opting for a self-guided tour in your rental home search.
Pros
- Convenient for those with busy schedules. Unlike traditional tours, where you need to arrange a meeting with a landlord or agent, self-guided tours provide access to the property at your own convenience. You select a convenient time slot, get an access code, and visit the property at your leisure.
- For security purposes, self-guided tours are never double-booked, ensuring you won’t have awkward encounters with others who might be competing for the same rental.
- Freedom to explore the rental home without a landlord or rental agent looking over your shoulder. There’s no pressure to rush or mask your true feelings if you’re not impressed with the property. Moreover, some renters enjoy the absence of someone asking revealing questions or pressuring them to decide on the spot. Hardly anyone wants to be rushed into decisions, particularly when it comes to choosing where they’ll live for the next several 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 suitable for leasing properties that are unoccupied. For a rental that’s not yet vacant, you’ll need to be accompanied by the landlord or property manager during the tour.
- Questions will need to wait until after the self-guided tour. While you can always text or email your questions later, some may slip your mind during the tour.
- Potential to miss out on learning a lot of helpful information about the area. A landlord or professional leasing agent should be able to inform you about these things when you view a property. If no one is with you, you may only discover these details later in your search process.
If you’re looking for a new home to rent in Casselton or nearby, Real Property Management Ambassadors 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.
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.
