Make sure your home is easy to show!

To get your home leased quickly, it’s important that other agents in the area show it to as many potential tenants as possible. The first thing a good agent will do when working with prospective tenants is talk to them and learn what kind of home they are looking for. Then the agent will search all the available homes for those most closely matching what the tenant wants. Next, the agent puts together a list of the best possible matches and arranges showings according to the tenants preferences. When a busy agent is compiling a list of homes to show, the agent will naturally tend to show those houses that are easiest to gain access to first. Many homes on the market have “lock boxes” on them. The lock box is a device which holds a key to the home, that only qualified local agents can access. Homes that are listed as being “lock box, no appointment needed” will get shown more often than homes listed as “agent has key, call for appointment”.  If at all possible, you should let your agent put a lock box on your home for easier showing. 

If you can’t do a lock box, you need to be sure that you make it as convenient and easy as possible for other agents to show your home.  If they call, do whatever you have to do to accommodate letting them show your home to prospective tenants on their schedule.  If you don’t, the agent will probably skip your home, and continue on to the next home potentially costing you a great opportunity.

It’s best if you can leave when the agent and prospect arrive to see your home.  Prospects won’t feel comfortable with you there, and it could sour an otherwise good impression.