Picture this: You are in the market for a new rental, and you finally found a house that seems perfect! Without hesitation or viewing the property in person, you pay the application fee and reserve a spot in the applications. You end up getting approved, you go see the home for the first time, and it is nothing like the pictures! The rooms are smaller, there is an odor, and there is lots of wear and tear on the property. Suddenly you’re thinking; I don’t want this home anymore! What do you do?
On the other hand, you can be looking at a property that you don’t think is for you, go to its showing, and end up loving it! Maybe the rooms are smaller, but just the right amount of space. Maybe there is a basement not pictured in the advertisement, and it is perfect for extra storage space! You would never know unless you view the property!
Rental Home Showings
When shopping around for a new rental home, scheduling showings are crucial! A rule of thumb while renting is you should never apply to a home without seeing it in person first. Some pictures can be deceiving, and not all parts of the property can be shown, possibly leaving out some detrimental information.
Some rental and property management companies do not require a visit to the home before the application is processed, and this can lead to problems down the line, on both sides. Here at Real Property Management of Greater Gwinnett, we require our potential tenants to visit the property before we review any applications. We recommend scheduling a showing as soon as you see it online, to guarantee a spot in the process if you choose to move forward! Doing so prevents any misunderstandings about the property and saves you from spending countless dollars on application fees for different properties.
What To Look For
During rental home showings, there are many things to look for, such as;
- Location of the home – distance from work, school, shopping, highways, etc.
- The functionality of the property – lawn(s), garage/parking, deck/patio, fireplace, washer/dryer hookups
- Inside – if the space is applicable with your furniture, home layout, restrooms
- Damage (if necessary) – carpet stains, any specific odor
When applying for properties, try to build communication with the property manager, agent, or owner. By scheduling an in-person showing, you will meet an agent at the property, and be able to ask all the questions you might have, regarding the rental home, or any other potential properties.
Applications
Most companies review their applications on a first-come, first-served basis. With that being said, we don’t recommend applying for countless properties, unless you are sure about the rental home, and its availability. Application fees can add up, and there is never a guarantee your application will even be reviewed unless you speak to someone at the company.
Shopping around for a home for rent can be stressful, but by scheduling rental home showings, at least you know what you’re getting! When visiting a home, take every aspect into consideration to make sure the rental is perfect for you!
Check out our available properties in Gwinnett County, and schedule a showing for one of our rentals today!
If you are looking to purchase a rental property in the Gwinnett area and need some professional management assistance, contact us today and we will be glad to guide you through the process!