First impressions matter.

Nowhere is this truer than during a rental showing.

A renter’s decision to fill out an application depends on their first impression of your unit: their overall feeling about it, whether they could see themselves living in your community, etc.

All great showings have a few things in common. First, all showings involve an information exchange. The renter wants the details about the property, and you want information about the renter’s eligibility to rent your units.

Showings also involve a gauge of personality. Both parties want to know whether working with the other is a good idea.

Above all, your goal as a landlord should be to make your resident community feel welcoming and inviting to prospective renters. So how do you do that?

Here are six components of a memorable property showing.

1. A Welcoming Guide

Every great property showing is led by a welcoming guide.

You can make prospective renters feel welcome by asking questions to get to know them. How do they like to spend their time? What do they do for work? Why are they looking in the area?

Questions like these establish rapport and make renters feel like they are welcome in the community. They’re also a great way to collect basic information about a potential tenant.

2. Facts: Memorized and Written

The best tour guides are knowledgeable about anything a renter needs to know. Know the kinds of questions renters are likely to ask, and memorize the answers.

This includes square footages, rates, amenities, included utilities, average utility costs, school districts, fees, and security deposits amounts.

You should also provide these facts to prospective renters again at the end of the showing, preferably on paper. Renters can take a physical copy of the facts sheet home with them as they consider.

3. Thoughtful Staging

Attractive rental units are expertly staged.

Fortunately, you don’t need to be an interior designer to stage your units thoughtfully. Choose furniture that fits the ambiance of the unit and organize spaces appealingly. This means showcasing important rooms with bold accent pieces, including comfortable tables and chairs, and leaving open space to appeal to renters’ imaginations.

4. Spotless Cleaning

The number one turnoff for rental showings is a dirty or unsanitary unit.

You may have to show an occupied unit. In this case, you can’t control how the unit looks or whether it’s cleaned. But if the unit is vacant, be sure it’s spotless. It may be worthwhile to hire a professional cleaning company for this job.

5. Appeals to the Senses

Showings should appeal to all five senses. After all, your renters will be spending much of their day-to-day lives in your units.

Appealing to the senses involves paying attention to light, temperature, scents, and sounds. Here are a few tips:

• Use natural lighting – open blinds and let in as much light as possible.
• Keep the unit at a comfortable temperature.
• Eliminate odors and light a scented candle for an extra touch.
• Ask any workers you hired to pause using loud equipment during the showing.

6. Copies of Floorplans and Applications

Finally, every prospective renter should leave a tour with a copy of the floorplan. This will help them remember what the unit looked and felt like once they get home.

Additionally, give your prospective renters an actionable next step: fill out the application. Bring a copy of your rental application, a link to your online application, or email it along with a “thank you” for visiting.

Lastly, leave prospective renters with your contact information in case they think of any other questions or need help during the application process.

Conclusion

Every rental showing is an opportunity for a signed lease and filled unit. By including these six components in your rental showings, you are sure to start strong relationships with your potential new tenants.