Showing a rental property to prospective tenants is an important step in the marketing process.
When your rental property shows well, you can expect more tenants to be interested in filling out an application to rent it, which gives you the best opportunity to avoid long vacancies.
If you want the showing process to attract the best possible tenants, here are 5 tips that can help you.
1. Make Showings Convenient
The days of large open houses where multiple tenants are wandering through an apartment are really over. Nowadays, most tenants prefer to see a property on their own.
Schedule showing times so your prospective tenants will be alone with a sufficient block of time to view the property.
Make the scheduling process easy for potential renters. They should be able to schedule a showing online or via text. In some cases, self-showings work best, especially if you’re not available to show the apartment when tenants are ready to see it.
2. Create Welcoming Curb Appeal
First impressions are everything. Tenants should feel welcomed and impressed as they approach the building.
Make sure there isn’t any debris or trash on their way in to see the apartment. Make sure the lawn is mowed, the garden is well-maintained, and you remove any debris or trash from sight.
Hallways, stairways, elevators, lobbies, and any approach to the building and the apartment should be bright, clean, and free of clutter. Tenants should feel eager to see the inside of your rental on the way in.
3. Prepare Your Qualifying Rental Criteria
Ideally, you’ll have the opportunity to pre-screen tenants before the showing. You should ask some questions about income, when they’re planning to move, and why they’re leaving their current home.
When they come to see the apartment, provide your full rental criteria so they know exactly what is necessary in order to be approved for the apartment. This might include income and credit standards, a history of no evictions, and no record of criminal convictions.
Being transparent about your rental criteria at the showing helps filter out unsuitable applicants and saves you time. Keep your screening process consistent between each potential tenant.
4. Think About Staging and Cleanliness
Cleanliness is essential when you’re showing an apartment. Good tenants will not be willing to move into an apartment home that’s dirty, dusty, or littered with someone else’s belongings. Make sure it’s completely cleared out of all furniture and personal possessions, unless you’re planning to stage the home.
If you are going to invest in staging, keep it minimal and universal. The basic pieces of furniture will do, and a few decorative elements like wall hangings and lamps. Don’t let the home look cluttered.
Good lighting can make a significant difference in how tenants perceive your property. Open the curtains and blinds to let in natural light during the showing, and turn on the interior lights to create a bright and inviting atmosphere. Replace any burnt-out bulbs, add lamps in darker areas, and consider touching up the paint.
5. Have Applications and Lease Samples Ready
Most tenants will expect to complete an application online, but it’s an excellent idea to have a sample of your application available at the showing. They’ll be able to take a look and know what type of information they’ll need to gather before they apply.
You can also have copies of your lease available. Tenants can determine what will be expected of them throughout the lease period, and they’ll also be able to review your pet policy and other important things like rent collection policies.
Create a Positive Experience
Make the showing experience pleasant and professional. Greet potential tenants warmly, offer them refreshments, and allow them to take their time exploring the property. Be ready to answer any questions they may have and provide them with all the necessary information.
If you’d like some help preparing to show your Kelowna rental apartment, please contact us at Vantage West Property Management. We have a lot of experience showing homes, and we’d be happy to assist you in attracting the best possible tenants.