Tips from the pro's: How to get the most from your viewing appointments

We all know the feeling- you've been looking for weeks and suddenly find an ad for what seems to be the perfect house or apartment!  You can't wait to check it out and see if it's as good as it looks.  So, now what? We've compiled the best tips from property managers based on, literally- thousands of showings, to help you make the most of a viewing appointment.

Is it still available?

This is generally the first question people ask when contacting a leasing agent or property manager about a listing.  In the vast majority of cases, if the property is listed, either on MLS or another advertisement, it is still available.  Brokers and agents have a good practice of noting listings as "rented" or "pending" if they do have an application on them or they are about to sign a lease with someone.  "It's a lot better to be prepared with the more important questions, rather than just 'is it available'", says Meagan, a leasing agent. 

This means, some or all of the following: 

Start your search with a list of your "must have", "nice to have" and "can't have"  

This is time tested advice that works extremely well.  By knowing what you can't live without- and what you can't live with- your search becomes very focused and effective, because you're not making those decisions randomly down the road.  This is also a list that you can share with leasing agents, so they can find and show you the properties that best meet your needs.  If, for example, you have 2 school age children and you really want at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a particular property with a huge yard and a nearby park, but only 2 bedrooms, just may not work for you.  By having a firm idea ahead if time, you don't spend your time on non-starters.

Go check it out first  

Top agents suggest that if you're really interested, go drive by the property before you do anything else (property addresses are almost always included in the rental posting).  This way you can make sure the neighborhood, nearby services, commute distances and other aspects of the property are suitable for your needs.  Agents try their best to describe the most important features of the property and the area, but words and pictures are never as good as having a first look for yourself.  Also, if something doesn't work for you, you won't need to make a viewing appointment and you've saved yourself some time. "It makes the process 100 times smoother than if someone has already previewed the property, rather than driving up at their showing appointment to discover they don't like the neighborhood", says one Seattle Broker. 

Have all the info, make sure you get the answers you need

Think of property hunting as a serious project, and make sure you're in the drivers seat.  After driving by a property and when you call to arrange viewing appointment, have the address and a list of your important questions handy. Leasing agents are busy, and won't know what' most important to you.  Are you looking for a minimum number of bedrooms or bathrooms, a particular price point, a big yard (or no yard)?  Unless you ask directly, agents can only tell you what they think may be important to you, and if a certain property doesn't have what you need, it's not productive for either you or the agent to discover this late in the process.  Also, while one property may not work for you, they can suggest others that do meet your specific needs, and be able to show you those sooner rather than later. 

Make it a group activity

It's almost always the case that owners and property managers require an application and credit check for each adult living in a property.  Likewise, everyone who will be living there probably wants to see it before deciding, even husband and wife or partners.  So, when you're ready to make a viewing appointment, collect schedules first, so the leasing agent can find a time that works for everyone.  Agents are hesitant to go back to a property many times so show it to members of the same household, mostly as a matter of time and resources, but also because it shows a lack of preparation on tenants part, which may mean headaches down the road as well.  As one agent recalls, "I've had 3 or 4 roommates looking at a house, when they didn't seem to be talking to each other.  I showed it to one, who really liked it, so another one called and wanted to see it, then the next.  Finally after the last one came to see it, they all thought it was perfect, but by that time a family from out of state had looked, applied and signed a lease for it".

Always call in advance if you need a schedule change

"Sometimes I feel like the awkward girl at a junior high dance" says Paula, a leasing agent.  "People are dying to see a place, we make a showing appointment, and they never show up.  I don't know if something happened to them, or what".  Leasing agents are busy, but good ones always take the time needed to provide information and show properties.  So, when they arrange their schedules to be at a showing, it's only respectful that you keep the appointment as well.  Of course, we call have urgent changes that sometimes happen, and agents don't mind changing appointments when you call ahead of time.  In fact, they prefer it to being stood up (don't we all!).  This is a great example of the Golden Rule, as you'd want someone to do the same for you, right?.

Finally, have fun!

Finding a new home, rental or otherwise, can be daunting, but don't lose sight that it's also exciting and if done well, will put you in a home that's comfortable, satisfying and rewarding.  So, do the work, be in charge, and have fun with it!