Every vacancy is not a burden but rather an opportunity. It symbolizes a fresh start with new tenants. As a leasing agent, it is also your chance to convince customers that you only offer the best in the market. But first things first. You have to put the property up for advertising.
You can sign up with Padleads for an affordable price. The website will let you create your property listings and syndicate them all over the internet. Trust me when I say it’s worth every penny, but I don’t have to tell you twice. Once you’ve piqued the potential tenants’ interests, you can expect they will want to see the rental in person. And for that, you have to be ready.
Showing off the property will either make or break the deal. You have to ensure the tenants like what they see during their visit because it may be the best way to convince them. So what exactly should you do in preparation for property showings?
Make sure everything is working.
Tenants who show up for open houses would like a property ready for occupancy. They want to see working appliances and not defective ones. They would require the rental to have electricity with light bulbs that light up when switched on. You can’t have lights flickering as they go around their tour.
All I’m saying is, make sure the landlord replaced all the faulty machines before putting the place up for renting. Light fixtures are easy to purchase, and they are a necessity. You would not want to give the tenants the impression that the landlord does not maintain the rental.
Remove all things smelly.
An unoccupied house will smell stuffy after being left alone for some time. It will smell worse if the landlord has not had it cleaned since the last tenant. Once a potential tenant walks into the rental, he should not smell offensive odors.
To make that happen, you must check if the rental is clean. The carpets and curtains should not have stains and stench. Remind the landlord to replace them if he could not remove the problem. Open the windows and doors to let the air out. Sometimes landlords and agents forget the refrigerator. A little bit of baking soda will get rid of any odor inside.
Clean up and declutter.
Sometimes you would have to show the rental while there are current occupants. You have to coordinate with the landlord to give the tenants a little heads up about it. It should be at least tidy enough to keep the applicants interested.
If the property is vacant, it will make things easier. Clients who will visit should find the rental clean and free from clutter. If the previous tenants left a few belongings, the landlord should clear them out and keep them. Storage spaces should not have leftover items so that future tenants can picture what they can put in.
Disinfect
Always bring disinfectant wipes with you. You may find something that needs a quick cleaning before the tenants arrive. Plus, with the ongoing pandemic, we have to sanitize everything.
Add toiletries and other supplies.
A landlord’s ideal tenant is someone who keeps things tidy and clean. Being neat is probably high up on any property manager’s list of qualifications. In return, landlords should also show how particular they are about cleanliness. You can suggest they put toiletries and cleaning supplies. Having toilet paper, cleaning brushes and trash bins inside the bathroom is not costly. It will make a great first impression.
Set the right temperature.
During the showing, you have to think of the tenants’ comfort. If it lands on a summer day, you should get there early and turn on the air conditioning. You would not want the potential tenants and you to be sweating profusely.
If it’s winter, turn the heater on and set it to an ideal temperature. If the tenants are uncomfortable, they may want to cut the visit short, and you could lose customers.
You may only have one chance to impress the tenant applicants with the rental showing. Make sure you make the most of it and showcase the different features they would like. After all, it will become their home.