How to Successfully Manage Home Tours for Vacant Properties
One of the worst problems that landlords face is a vacant property. Often, it can mean months of paying expenses for a property that isn’t bringing any revenue. It’s for this reason that many property owners take the importance of attracting prospective tenants seriously, but a lot of busy landlords also struggle with juggling the responsibilities it requires. Advertising, sifting through dozens of applications and screening tenants can feel overwhelming by itself, but showing the house to interested parties can make the stresses of everyday life over the top. It can be particularly difficult for landlords who are also raising families, managing other business ventures or working a 40-hour week at the office. At DKRentals.net, we help landlords in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, Norcross, Sandy Springs and other surrounding Metro communities manage their properties. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about what it takes to conduct successful home tours that attract high quality, reliable tenants. Here are a few tips that can help you do the same.
Create a Polished Atmosphere in the House
The first step is to organize your property in a way that makes a great impression. Some prefer to stage their rental unit to help new tenants see the house in optimal living conditions, making them more eager to mentally commit to a lease agreement. However, if renting furnishings feels like an unnecessary expense, there are still ways that you can maximize the impact of the space without going overbudget. Painting the walls, waxing the floors, refreshing the window treatments and other small improvements can go a long way in creating an inviting atmosphere for potential renters.
Don’t Sign Lease Agreements Unless You’ve Already Screened the Applicant
Make sure you’ve got all required paperwork ready in case one of the interested tenants wants to take the next step. Know ahead of time how you want to handle the deposit payment and have applications, a list of required documents and a copy of the lease agreement handy. You can also point them toward a website if you are using an electronic application process. If someone wants to move forward, have them fill out the required information. Never eagerly sign an agreement with someone before you’ve screened them. Some may be tempted when presented a check for the deposit and a few months’ worth of rent. Still, you should be careful, as renter fraud is on the rise. Do a thorough background check that includes criminal, credit and employment history before signing your name on the dotted line.
Consider Creating a Virtual Tour
While most interested individuals will want to see the property in person, many people live busy lives. Having a virtual tour available will allow those with a minor interest in the home more eager to invest their time and energy into viewing the home physically. This can be beneficial for both interested parties and landlords, as those who will show up in person are more likely to have narrowed their interests and have already at least partially committed to the possibility of living in the home.
Are You an Atlanta Area Property Owner? Call the Property Management Experts at DKRentals.net
If you’re ready to restore balance back to your lifestyle without sacrificing your real estate ventures, our team has the perfect solutions. Let the experienced property managers at DKRentals.net handle the routine tasks of marketing, screening tenants, collecting payments, caring for maintenance issues and more. Contact our office today to find out how we can help you find more freedom and flexibility.
