In an increasingly competitive housing market, it’s more important than ever for prospective tenants to find an edge when applying for a new apartment. While self-guided apartment tours are not a new concept, they are growing in popularity as an effective way to stand out among other applicants. The rise of social networks and the popularity of blogging has led many people to explore this form of self-expression, and it can be an ideal way to showcase your personality, interests, and ambitions to potential employers.
Self-guided apartment tours are also a great way to research the neighborhood of a potential rental property. In the process of taking photos or a video of your apartment tour, make sure to point out things like the proximity to local amenities, public transportation, or any potential drawbacks. Doing so will help you avoid scaring off potential future tenants. Self-guided apartment tours allow interested tenants to conveniently browse available units from the comfort of their own homes and streamline the application process simultaneously. Self-guided apartment tours have several key benefits. They save time by eliminating the need for scheduled tours, which means less time spent waiting and scheduling and more time on your tour and meeting with leasing agents. Self-guided tours also save money by reducing travel costs for both you and the leasing agent, who no longer needs to meet with multiple applicants at once but instead can meet individually with each applicant when they’re ready to tour the unit further.
Self-guided tours are convenient
One of the biggest benefits of a self-guided apartment tour is convenience. Unlike a traditional apartment tour, with a self-guided tour, you have the freedom to move at your own pace and visit the units that are most convenient for you. For example, if you live in a different state but are considering applying to a great apartment in your current city, you can still browse the available units from the comfort of your own home. Once you find an apartment that looks like a potential match, you can fill out the application from your computer. This way, you don’t have to worry about running late if the office closes before you arrive or if you don’t have the correct documentation on hand.
Additionally, if you have a pet or disability, you can fill out the application from home and avoid triggering any negative reactions from the leasing agent. When you’re comfortable in your own space, you can be completely honest about your situation and avoid any uncomfortable silences or awkward questions. This convenience can also work in reverse, allowing you to browse units without disrupting your current lease. Self-guided tours allow you to browse available units that fit your needs without disrupting your current lease, a major benefit for those who may be in the process of moving or who are unsure about their next steps.
They save time
Self-guided apartment tours save time in several ways. They let you visit apartments at the time that works best for your schedule. You won’t have to wait in line for an apartment or rush through the tour. And you won’t need a real estate agent to help you navigate your apartment visit. Self-guided tours also save you from paying real estate agent fees. These fees can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. If you’re on a tight budget but don’t want to cut real estate agent fees out of your search, consider taking a self-guided tour. First, they cut down on the amount of time spent touring units during a scheduled visit. Scheduled tours often involve several people at once, which means you’re not the only applicant meeting with the leasing agent.
This not only eats up valuable time for both the leasing agent and prospective tenants but is also inefficient, as the agent must show the same unit multiple times and repeat information to each person. This is particularly frustrating for the agent, who must not only drive to multiple locations but also stay at each location long enough to conduct an adequate tour. By contrast, during a self-guided tour, a prospective tenant can visit the units that interest them without bothering the leasing agent at all. This means less time spent touring units and more time spent on your tour and meeting with the leasing agent when you’re ready to go further.
They save money
Self-guided tours save money in two ways. First, they eliminate the need for an agent to drive to multiple locations to conduct scheduled tours, which often leads to gas costs. Second, they eliminate the need for multiple agents to conduct scheduled tours, which reduces the cost per unit of each visit. While touring units in a group can be a great way to meet people and compare notes on different apartments, it often requires multiple agents to drive to each location, which is both costly and inefficient. By contrast, a self-guided tour is conducted by one person at a time, so there is no need for multiple agents to drive all around town. This means lower travel costs for the agent and prospective tenants, making self-guided tours a great way to streamline the application process and make the whole process more efficient.
Self-guided tours streamline the application process
In addition to saving time and money, self-guided tours also streamline the application process. Most tours have an open application period, and you can start the process at any time. You don’t have to wait for an application deadline to pass to start collecting materials, and you don’t have to apply during a limited window of time. You can fill out the application whenever you’re ready and send it in whenever you’re done. Self-guided tours are also much more flexible. If you need to take a break or pause the tour for a few days or weeks, you don’t have to worry about losing any benefits.
These benefits are always active, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything. The application process often takes up a significant amount of time, particularly if you’re juggling multiple applications at once or are unsure which apartment is right for you. By taking advantage of a self-guided apartment tour, you can remove some of the uncertainty of the application process by knowing which units are right for you before even applying. This means you can move through the application process more quickly, which can be helpful if you’re trying to secure an apartment before your current lease ends or in a busier season like summer or fall.
How to use a self-guided apartment tour effectively
There are a few tips to keep in mind when using a self-guided apartment tour. First, it’s important to be strategic about which units you choose to visit. There’s no point in visiting a unit that doesn’t fit your needs, so be sure to research your needs and select units accordingly. Visit the unit to see what they offer. Most apartments have open houses and tours throughout the year, so you can visit whenever it works best for you. If you can’t visit in person, most homes have websites with information about their units, or you can contact their advising offices and ask questions. Similarly, be selective about the units you visit. While it’s great to visit as many units as you like, you don’t want to spend more time touring units than necessary.
The Bottom Line
Self-guided apartment tours are a convenient and cost-effective way to browse available units while minimizing the impact on the application process. The best way to book a self-guided tour is to contact the property directly. You can usually find the phone number on the website or in the “contact” section of the listing. When booking a self-guided tour, be sure to let the property know when you’d like to visit, the number of people in your party, and any specific dates or unit preferences. Most properties allow you to visit any time during business hours, but offering advance notice allows the property staff to prepare for your visit and ensure that the apartment is clean and ready to view.
They save time by eliminating the need for scheduled tours, which means less time spent waiting and scheduling and more time on your tour and meeting with leasing agents. They also save money by reducing travel costs for both you and the leasing agent, who no longer needs to conduct multiple scheduled tours but can meet with each interested applicant one-on-one when they are ready to tour the unit further.
