how to handle showing

Question

I am looking at new options for showings.  right now we generally set a time and meet the applicant at the property.  we often set up several at the same time.  many i know give out lockbox codes but i am not confident that is safe for the property.  any other ideas options out there?

Steve Babiak · Answer

There are some folks who advocate giving out a lockbox combination to prospective tenants, but I think that removes one of your best opportunities to do a screening of the prospect. Are they on time? How are they dressed? How do the kids behave?  And how do the adults themselves behave?  You can see if they react favorably to the unit. You can answer questions and even demonstrate some feature that might not be so obvious. And you can see their facial expression when you ask them things.

And don't forget you can see their vehicle in person, but not when you give a lockbox combination.

Kimberly T. · Answer

For the triplex that we own and manage ourselves, we don't have a lockbox, we just take phone calls about our ads and make appointments to show the unit.  We typically schedule a few appointments within a relatively short period of time (1 or 2 appointments every 15 minutes).

We would never give out a lockbox code (for obvious reasons of allowing people in your unit unsupervised), nor would we do an open house, for one reason in particular: part of our screening criteria is whether or not they show up for the appointment on time.  If they are more than 15 minutes late for the appointment, or don't show, we will not rent to them.  Period.  Being punctual for appointments is correlated to their timeliness and respect regarding paying the rent.

Nicole A. · Answer

I typically do the open house method since many of them never show up anyway. But when it's become apparent that someone is serious and absolutely can't show up another time, I might make an exception.

Also, with my currant vacancy I'm very lucky that my handyman lives right next door and has shown it on the fly to people who drove by, stopped, and asked questions when they saw him working on it. He handed them applications and one couple seemed to really like it and called to tell me they would be sending in their applications.

Randy King · Answer

We use electronic key pads when renting SFHs. We have the prospect drive by and call back to get the code if they would like to see the inside. We get their name and already have their phone #. There has been discussion on BP regarding this, but it works for us. We change the code often and only buy in good areas. I obviously would not do this in a war zone.

Franklin Romine · Answer

My best luck with tenants has come from the ones that make the time to view.  It might not be true always but I never get a good feeling when a tenant dictates when they can and can't see the property.

Rhett Tullis · Answer

yes i agree meeting in person is vital and i like the open house idea but when you have multiples for lease and many folks wanting to view, often they cannot make the open house time you have set for the property.

Franklin Romine · Answer

Grouping the showing together is good.  If for somereason you can't make an showing a trust worthy neighbor that you have built a relationship with is always good.  Meeting the prospect tenant in person is always a must even if you didn't show them the property.

Rhett Tullis · Answer

yes i have done both of these and currently do.  not a fan of folks wandering the house on their own.  just wish there was a way to save some driving around and waiting time.  i guess it is just one of the prices we pay for the business.

Andrea M. · Answer

I never give out the lockbox code. I try to meet everyone at the same time and speak with them separately.

I have even done a rental open house and have applications on hand.

Ned Carey · Answer

Some landlords schedule several people at one time to build a feeding frenzy.  In some areas half the people don't show up so having multiple people at the same time you have less chance of showing up for nothing.