Long Distance Showing

[Daniel Walker]

My business partner and I expect to close on our first rental in a matter of weeks. To increase learning and cash flow, we want to self manage the property with some help from a home warranty company to handle maintenance. The house is in northern GA and we are both long distance. We are trying to gameplan how we will work through the showing process (e.g. open house? electronic keys?) Does anyone have any good checklists or processes that they could share to help us work through this step in the process? 

[Anna Laud]

@Daniel Walker

Hi Daniel! Hopefully I'll be able to help you out here a little with this;

When I'm working with my out of state, or out of country clients, I do have a standard checklist of showing points- the standard point of my checklist could be easily applied to your situation for renters. 

Here's what I try to cover in video and picture footage; 

1.) Exterior views, walking the parameter 

2.) Roofing, gutters, windows etc. 

3.) I will take some exterior footage of the area as well from the front of the property and the back- neighbors 

4.) Inside I will cover major systems; HVAC etc. 

5.) I will do an initial walkthrough for layout, then go room by room

6.) In all of the pictures I will try to capture ceiling and floor footage

7.) Any appliances I will turn on/off, lights etc, faucets on/off etc.

Now to put this to use in your case (an idea in qualifying renters prior to unnecessary showings) I would send all of these files to a dropbox that any interested tenants could have easy access to - a complete showing prior to entering in other words, a virtual walkthrough, simply include the dropbox link in Zillow 'for rent' add or mention it in the ad. This will either entice the renters in that will see the property as a fit, or not waste time with those that it won't work for. 

You could also simply create a free YouTube channel an upload this footage here, include the YouTube link just the same in ad

Much like a written offer contingent upon showing (like with a tenant occupied property sale) this can be done prior to scheduling anything. Again, to not waste time in unnecessary showings to renters who wouldn't qualify/pass screening, you can say 'showings available after screening' in some cases. 

When it's time to allow people inside, if you've already screened them you can simply use a lockbox with keys in it for showings. Set an appointment and have them text you when they arrive and leave (free google voice number works well here). It seems unlikely you'll have any issues with folks coming back around to enter the property after they know you've already screened them and will make the connection their info is already on file in connection with the property. 

Now this might not work for all areas, but (at least here in Indy) this would suffice in Class C+ through Class A areas. 

Hope this helps some!