More Than Just a Code: Creating a True Experience for Your Self-Guided Tours
To truly capture the attention of prospective residents and stand out in a competitive market, property managers must elevate their self-guided tours from merely providing access credentials to fully engaging and informative experiences.
Creating a self-guided tour seems simple enough—just make sure touring renters can enter the community and the unit. Usually that is done with just a code or a key, maybe both in some cases. However, a code and key alone is not enough when you’re trying to make a good first impression without the added support of a human.
A real self-guided tour experience should start with identity verification and foundational security measures, automate access, include real-time guidance around the community, and provide visibility and analytics to leasing staff. To truly capture the attention of prospective residents and stand out in a competitive market, property managers must elevate their self-guided tours from merely providing access credentials to fully engaging and informative experiences.
Safeguarding self-access: the foundation of security
The journey of a positive self-guided tour begins long before a prospective renter steps onto the property. Ensuring safety is paramount. Simply providing a gate code and a lockbox combination leaves significant security gaps. A modern self-guided tour should integrate robust identity verification processes. This involves requiring government-issued photo ID uploads and facial recognition software to confirm the visitor’s identity before granting access.
Furthermore, foundational security measures extend to the property itself. Utilizing smart locks and common area entry panels that generate unique, time-sensitive access codes not only streamlines entry but also enhances security by eliminating the risk of stolen keys or compromised codes. These systems also prevent access outside of the scheduled tour window. By prioritizing security from the outset, property managers can instill confidence in current and prospective residents and protect their assets. This initial layer of security transforms the self-guided tour from a potentially vulnerable entry into a controlled and trustworthy experience.
Seamless entry: the power of automated access control
Once identity is verified, the access process should be frictionless. Relying on static codes or physical keys introduces inconvenience and potential points of failure. Automated access control systems, integrated with self-guided touring platforms, offer a far superior experience. Upon arrival, the prospective renter can use a smartphone app or a unique, time-sensitive code delivered directly to their device to unlock gates, amenity spaces, and the unit itself.
This not only provides a modern and convenient experience but also offers greater control to property managers. Access permissions can be instantly revoked after the tour, and detailed access logs can be maintained for security and accountability. Imagine a prospective resident effortlessly navigating the property using their phone, unlocking each space with a tap – this seamlessness contributes significantly to a positive first impression and showcases the property’s commitment to modern technology and resident convenience.
Navigating with confidence: real-time community guidance
A significant drawback of basic self-guided tours is the lack of on-site assistance. Prospective renters might feel lost, unsure of where to go, or miss key features of the community. To address this, a truly experiential self-guided tour should incorporate real-time guidance. This can be achieved through tools like Rently’s Wayfinding solution, an interactive property map accessible via mobile, complete with GPS “blue-dot” navigation and turn-by-turn directions to parking, access points, amenities, and available units.
Furthermore, integrating multimedia elements within the app can enrich the tour. Imagine a prospective renter approaching the pool area and their app automatically displaying information about pool hours, features like a grilling station or cabanas, and even a photo showcasing the space. Similarly, as they walk through a unit, the app could provide details about appliance brands and smart home features. This real-time guidance transforms the tour from a solitary exploration into an informative and engaging journey.
Actionable insights: visibility and analytics for leasing staff
The benefits of an enhanced self-guided tour extend beyond the prospective renter. For leasing staff, these tours can generate valuable data and insights. Modern self-guided tour platforms like Rently track key metrics such as lead source, the number of tours conducted, the duration of each tour, the specific units and amenities visited, when the tour occurred, conversion rate, and even feedback provided by the renters post-tour.
This visibility allows leasing teams to understand which units and community features are most popular, identify potential areas of improvement in the tour experience, and follow up with prospective residents in a more personalized and timely manner. For instance, if a renter visits the fitness center during their self-guided tour, the leasing agent can tailor their follow-up communication to highlight the community’s fitness amenities. This data-driven approach empowers leasing teams to optimize their strategies, improve conversion rates, and ultimately enhance the overall leasing process.
In conclusion, simply providing a code or a key for a self-guided tour is a missed opportunity. By prioritizing security, automating access, offering real-time guidance, and leveraging data analytics, property managers can transform these tours into compelling and informative experiences that resonate with prospective residents. Investing in a comprehensive self-guided tour solution like Rently is not just about convenience; it’s about making a powerful first impression, showcasing the property’s value, and ultimately driving successful leasing outcomes in today’s dynamic rental market.
