Although states are starting to reopen in phases, social distancing still exists due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This also is having an impact on the apartment leasing experience. While virtual tours have picked up in popularity, so have agentless self-guided tours, according to a recent RENTCafe survey. At many communities around the nation, prospective renters can schedule a self-guided tour online, go through an ID verification, and then receive an address and an access code for the tour.
According to a survey of 3,500 Americans, 83% of the respondents said they would use the self-guided tours to see a potential future home in person despite the virtual tour options that are now available.
Almost two-thirds of respondents, 63%, added they would take a self-guided tour so they can view apartments at their own pace, while 59% said they are doing it because of social distancing. In addition, 43% said they prefer the option in order to visit after business hours or on weekends.
Flexible tour durations, online scheduling, and a digital access system were the top expectations for these self-guided tours.
For the small percentage who responded that self-guided tours aren’t for them shared some of the reasons why, including wanting to ask leasing agents questions in person and receiving valuable information about the property from the agents.
In addition, respondents shared what would make them more comfortable doing a self-guided tour: 55% said better information and more photos and videos on websites and 33% said self-guided on-site tours with keyless entry.
