In the not-so-distant past, if you were a prospective tenant, let's call you Mike, on the hunt for your next rental property, your options were pretty limited. You had to coordinate with a landlord, property manager, or an agent to schedule a viewing. The catch was that both parties needed to align their schedules, which often meant delays in Mike getting to see the property. It was like a game of trying to find that one elusive time slot that worked for everyone.
To make matters more challenging, sometimes Mike just wanted to explore the property without someone hovering over him, offering unsolicited advice, or simply being a presence that he'd rather do without. So, what's the solution to these cumbersome viewing hurdles? It's called self-showing.
Self-showing is a game-changer. Picture this: there's a special lockbox installed on the property. When Mike wants to check out the place, he heads to a dedicated website where he answers a few screening questions and uploads his driver's license. Once his credentials are verified by the landlord, property manager, or agent, Mike gets the freedom to set a viewing time that suits his schedule. It's all about flexibility. When he arrives at the property, he'll receive a text with the code to that special lockbox. Mike can then unlock the door and explore the property at his own pace. No one breathing down his neck or distracting him.
When Mike's done touring the property, he simply returns the key to the lockbox, and like clockwork, he'll receive an automated email or text with a link to the rental application. It's a streamlined process that accelerates everything. In a world where time is of the essence, self-showing is the solution that's arrived fashionably late but with a bang.
At first glance, you might worry about the safety implications. What if someone with ill intentions tries to gain access and cause havoc? It's a valid concern, but let's think about it in perspective. Instead of allowing 15 minutes of access, what if we extended it to three days, and instead of showing vacant units, we allowed access to fully furnished homes? Sounds familiar, right? It's Airbnb. We've seen Airbnb experience its fair share of ups and downs, but it's still here and thriving. While there have been some isolated incidents, they've been relatively rare, and people continue to opt for short-term rentals. If Airbnb can succeed with its model, then it's fair to say that showing a vacant unit for 15 minutes is a secure way to showcase a property.
When it comes to real estate investing, you're always weighing the pros and cons of safety, convenience, and cost. After careful consideration of these factors, it becomes clear that self-showing is a resounding winner. Like anything else in the world of rental properties, it's not without its imperfections, but that's what investing is all about—navigating the nuances and seeking opportunities for efficiency.
Here at Cruise Property Management, we've embraced self-showing as a part of our service offerings. We didn't jump into it blindly; we did our homework. We consulted with other property management companies that have been successfully implementing self-showing for years, and they've reported minimal to no issues. So, rest assured, when it comes to this innovative approach, we're in good company, and we're here to make your property rental journey as smooth as possible.
