Rental showings are your opportunity to display the best of your properties. How you stage your units, prepare exteriors, and answer questions influences whether renters will decide to rent your properties.
Early spring is the best time to prepare your units for showings. As many people tend to move in the summer, spring is your time to prepare for showings. But what does this entail?
How you prepare a rental depends on its current condition and how well the last tenant took care of it.
Here are six steps for preparing your rental units for showings.
1. Deep Clean
Deep cleaning is an essential first step whenever you turn over a unit. How much cleaning you’ll need to do depends on the cleaning habits of the prior tenant.
If your last tenant was particularly negligent, you might hire a cleaning service to pressure wash carpets, re-paint damaged walls, or eliminate odors. On the other hand, if the previous tenant took good care of the unit, you might be able to clean it up yourself.
You should also clean any common spaces before showing your units. Pick up trash, vacuum, paint over any chips, clean up clutter, and dust thoroughly. Keeping common spaces clean also encourages tenants to use them and develop friendships and community.
2. Check Utilities, Amenities, and Appliances
Before you invite prospective tenants into your units, you’ll also want to check utilities, amenities, and appliances.
Does the microwave work? Do any lightbulbs need replacing? Are the locks functional, or are there any safety hazards from the previous tenant? Double check that everything is functional before showing your unit. It’s also a good idea to turn on sinks and flush toilets to ensure there aren’t any problems with the plumbing.
An appliance that isn’t in proper working order will likely turn off interested tenants looking for high-quality rentals to call home.
3. Repair Weather Damage
If you live in an area with harsh winters, it’s unlikely your units made it through without any weather damage. Snow buildups, heavy winds, or flooding can damage your units and decrease their presentability.
Before showing a unit, repair any roof leaks, chipped paint, or other issues. Check gutters and shingles for damage from heavy storms and dedicate some time and resources to confirming that your rentals are structurally sound.
4. Gather Your Stats
When showing your units, it’s useful to have important numbers on hand in case prospective tenants ask. Along with copies of your rental application, rules, or other documents, gather stats and metrics your visitors are likely to ask about.
For instance, have on hand (or memorized) the average lease length and information about other units that renters might be interested in. You should also know the clauses in your lease agreement in case renters ask about your policies on pets, overnight guests, etc.
Rental property management software can quickly produce updated, accurate metrics whenever you need them.
5. Consider Outdoor Appearance
Your property’s outdoor appearance matters just as much as the inside when showing units.
Before you invite prospective tenants, tend to outdoor areas. This may include caring for the lawn, cutting weeds, spreading new mulch, planting flowers, and sweeping or power washing sidewalks.
The first thing visitors will notice about your rentals is the outside appearance. Take care that you make a good first impression.
6. Stage Your Units
After you’ve made repairs, checked appliances, gathered your stats, and spruced up outside, it’s time to stage your units.
Think about staging the same way you would take professional photographs: try to identify the most flattering angles of your rental business. Staging is all about thoughtful placement, lighting, and strategic planning.
Be sure to hold showings during the day when the most natural light is available, and don’t forget to turn on all other lights as well. If no one has been living in the unit, remember to turn on the air conditioning or heat as appropriate so that visitors are comfortable when they enter your property.
You should also disinfect surfaces if you didn’t already do so in your cleaning. Finally, check that appliances are working, and everything is ready for your guests’ arrival.
Staging for Successful Showings
Preparing rental units for showings is an exciting task. Not only will you soon have new, interested renters, but you’ll also hopefully be able to fill some vacancies and start generating more revenue. By following these quick tips, your rentals will be ready for showings in no time.
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