Why a Virtual Apartment Tour Can Make Subleasing Easier
It’s not always easy to find someone to take over your apartment lease, especially if you’re living in West Chester student housing. Between classes, work, and everything else you’ve got to do, arranging in-person viewings can be a real pain. Now imagine you’re scheduling up several viewings with potential subtenants who aren’t even anywhere near. It can very quickly become a logistical nightmare.
A virtual apartment tour is another way of showcasing your property. You don’t have to be ready to show it to everyone at the same time; you can let prospective tenants view it online. A good presentation answers questions before anyone comes to see it. With a bit of preparation, you can make your apartment look really appealing and help the serious ones get a good feel for the space.
Prepare Your Apartment Before Filming
Before you record anything, clean your apartment. No one will expect a professionally staged property, but presentation still matters. Remove personal items, wipe down the kitchen counters, and straighten the furniture. Make the beds, sort out bathroom items, and remove any excess clutter. Pay very close attention to the lighting. Open all the curtains and blinds to let in the natural light. Turn on extra lights if any rooms look dark in certain areas. These virtual sublease tour tips can make a huge difference. A bright, clean apartment looks so much better on camera.
Next, consider the order in which you present the property. Start with the living room, then the kitchen, then the bedrooms, then the bathrooms, and finally the storage areas.
Also be sure to mention the key features along the way. Highlight closets, appliances, laundry facilities, and parking.
Learn How to Host a Virtual Tour
You don’t need expensive camera gear to produce a useful presentation. Most modern smartphones can record excellent video. Stability is key. Use a tripod or phone stabilizer to eliminate shaky footage. Move slowly from room to room and give the viewer time to get to know the space. How do you host a virtual tour that actually gets the prospective tenant to come and look? Treat it exactly like an in-person showing.
Introduce the apartment, describe the layout, and point out any features that would make it very convenient to live in. Talk about local restaurants, local shops (especially the grocery store), transport links, and so on. For instance, West Chester renters would probably want to hear about nearby campus locations, the restaurants in town, and access to local shopping.
Don’t rush through the video. The potential subtenants want to get a real feel for what it would be like to live there.
Use Online Apartment Tour Tips to Answer Questions
A video gives a good overview, but prospective tenants will inevitably have more questions. So prepare your answers before scheduling virtual appointments. Know the monthly rent, the lease dates, and who is responsible for utilities and the security deposit.
Online apartment tour tips also include showing the bits that videos often miss. Film the inside of the closet, kitchen storage, bathroom fixtures, and parking. If your apartment has shared facilities, then explain how the residents gain access to them. Any relevant building policy or restriction should also be mentioned. You should also be upfront about any existing damage or maintenance issues. That’s the only way to avoid later problems.
If you can provide floor plans or room dimensions, that would be useful. That way, the candidate can work out whether their furniture will actually fit.
Make Your Sublease Showing Tips Work for You
Once your recording looks good, share it with the candidates you’re looking at. Use clear descriptions and recent photos with the video.
If they’re interested, then offer a live video walkthrough. That way they can ask questions and get a closer look if they want. Good sublease showing tips also include respecting people’s privacy. Remove all personal documents, photos, financial records, etc. from the property before filming.
Also check your lease and speak to your landlord before subletting. Requirements and approval processes will vary. Don’t assume that just because you’ve found someone that you’ve automatically got the tenancy on your books. You need the forms and approval in place before you do anything.
Turn a Virtual Showing Into a Successful Sublease
A virtual apartment tour can save time and help the prospective renter make an informed decision. However, remember that a presentation alone doesn’t guarantee a successful sublease. Clear communication, the right information, and proper approvals are just as important.
Take the time to get the apartment ready and do a walkthrough. Answer the questions honestly and make it as easy as possible for the person doing the viewing. With a bit of planning, you can attract better candidates without constantly rearranging your schedule. After all, finding someone to take over your apartment should not become another full-time job.
