How to Adopt Self-Guided Tours in 4 Easy Steps


Did you know that 4 in 10 prospective residents stop pursuing a rental because they’re unable to find a convenient time to tour the property with a leasing agent? With self-guided tours, this missed opportunity becomes a thing of the past.

By allowing prospects to tour properties at their own pace and schedule, self-guided tours are reshaping the residential leasing landscape. For potential residents, they provide an unprecedented level of convenience and flexibility (as well as a relaxed and controlled experience that appeals to modern home-seekers). For property managers, the benefits of this innovative approach translate into increased efficiency, broader reach, and enhanced customer satisfaction. In short, self-guided tours create a win-win situation for all involved. 

Are you a property manager looking to leverage this revolutionary trend? Here’s a step-by-step guide to adopting self-guided tours in your rental operations, made simpler with powerful tools like BeHome247.

Get Started

The first step in embracing self-guided tours is—wait for it—taking that first step. Choosing the right platform for self-guided tours is pivotal. The ideal solution needs to allow property managers to do a few key things really well. Things like: upload property details and integrate with smart locks and security systems. The ability to set viewing blocks and create secure parameters is also essential.

BeHome247 can help with all of this! With a wide array of features designed for the modern property manager, BeHome247 streamlines the entire process, making the adoption of self-guided tours a breeze. From detailed reporting to advanced analytics, BeHome247’s self-guided tour software is the go-to solution for a seamless experience:

  • Identity Verification: Ensure you always know who is entering the property and when.
  • Smart Lock Integration: Provide security by controlling access through innovative smart lock technology.
  • Temporary Key Codes: Assign prospects access via key codes during specified time blocks.

Let’s use a real-world example. Consider a property manager who’s struggling with manual processes, juggling numerous keys, and being overwhelmed by scheduling conflicts. By adopting BeHome247, this property manager can seamlessly transition to self-guided tours, reducing administrative burdens and enhancing the overall viewing experience for prospects. 

The result? Happier prospects, streamlined onboarding, and a more efficient leasing process.

Promote, Promote, Promote

Once your self-guided tour platform is up and running, it’s time to spread the word. Leverage online marketing strategies, including targeted social media campaigns and optimized online listings, to promote self-guided tours and reach a wider audience.

Remember, promoting self-guided tours isn’t just about attracting interest—it’s about nurturing relationships. Follow up with friendly reminders, personalized messages, and exclusive offers. With BeHome247, you can automate these communications, ensuring no prospect falls through the cracks.

Make it User-Friendly

Convenient for them, secure for you. That’s what self-guided tours are all about. The goal is to create a simple, convenient, and comfortable tour experience that helps your prospective residents tour single or multi-family units at a time that works for them. 

So, ensuring everything does in fact work for them is key. With BeHome247’s self-guided tour software, the process is as user-friendly as it gets.

Here’s how it works:

  1. From your community webpage, the resident selects the property unit they’re interested and then clicks “Tour This Home.”
  2. They create an account and register with their personal details (passport, driver’s license, or personal I.D.) and a credit card to validate their identity and help you feel secure.
  3. Next, the prospect is taken to a calendar widget where they can conveniently schedule a time and date that works for them. Bada bing, bada boom—they book a time that works for them, no calling or waiting for a response.
  4. When the prospect reaches the property, they’ll click “Start Tour” in the email or text that was sent at registration. The prospect then takes a selfie to ensure they are who they say they are. Then they are given a specially-generated door code that allows them to access the unit.
  5. Now, they can tour at their convenience. With BeHome247’s smart tech, the HVAC system will be up and running by the time they enter the unit to ensure it’s comfortable while touring; it will then turn off following their departure. Speaking of their departure, the door will automatically lock behind them after a set number of minutes.


In short, self-guided tours are as easy as 1-2-3-4-# (or whichever more secure keycode your prospective resident gets).

Wrap it Up

The self-guided tour experience doesn’t end when the prospect leaves the property. After the tour, utilize feedback to continually improve the tour experience. 

When the prospect is ready to sign a lease, the Resident app kicks off the lease agreement workflow, ensuring a smooth transition from interested prospect to committed resident. From here, they can even automate maintenance requests via the Resident Connect app to automatically generate work orders, making the process efficient and timely.

Within the BeHome247 branded portal, you and your residents can enjoy:

  • Seamless Communication: Ongoing communication is seamless thanks to a unified inbox.
  • Financial Transparency: Show residents their charges and what’s been paid up, building trust and transparency.
  • Timely Updates: Prompt updates to changes in cleaning times or scheduled maintenance ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • SMS Messaging: Sending essential messages via SMS makes for immediate and convenient communication, keeping all parties informed.

With BeHome247, you can build long-lasting relationships that translate into loyal residents.

Conclusion

Self-guided tours are a no-brainer. Your prospective resident gets to enjoy a pressure-free touring environment; you get to lease faster without scheduling headaches. By following these four easy steps and leveraging the powerful solutions offered by BeHome247, you can provide a memorable experience for prospects and position your properties as the ultimate choice for modern living.

From saving time to improving the resident experience, the benefits are significant. With platforms like BeHome247 offering comprehensive solutions, the process is simpler than ever.
Ready to see how self-guided tours can revolutionize your property management experience? Schedule a demo with BeHome247 today and discover how we can get you up and running with self-guided tours.

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