In recent years, property management companies have undergone a noticeable transformation. One notable trend gaining ground is self-guided tours. More and more potential renters and buyers are seeking autonomy in their resident search experiences.ย  This shift has forced property managers to rethink traditional leasing strategies.ย  Enter electronic access controlโ€”an innovative solution where prospective tenants tour properties safely and conveniently without needing staff to be there physically.

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Why Self-Guided Tours?

The popularity of self-guided tours is attributed to several factors. First and foremost, today’s renters want convenience. Busy schedules and the need for flexibility mean that potential tenants want to view properties at their own pace and on their own time. Additionally, in an increasingly digital world, consumers are accustomed to self-service solutions across various industries, from retail to travel to home life. Second, the desire for personalized experiences also plays a pivotal role. Self-guided tours give prospects the opportunity to explore properties more freely.ย  They can consider features that matter most to them without someone hovering nearby. Finally, many properties were previously on the fence about implementing self-guided tours.ย  However, they really saw the value in implementing them during the COVID-19 pandemic.ย  When person-to-person proximity was frowned upon and many property managers moved to working from home for safety, new ideas on facilitating tours were considered.

The Role of Electronic Access Control

Property managers are increasingly turning to electronic access control systems to facilitate this growing demand for self-guided tours. These systems are designed to provide secure entry to properties while maintaining the safety and privacy of both renters and existing residents. Here are a few ways on why they work:

1. SECURE ACCESS:ย  With electronic locks and virtual key systems, property managers issue temporary access codes, QR codes or digital keys to prospective tenants. This ensures that only authorized individuals enter the property, mitigating security concerns associated with self-guided tours. Some virtual key systems also issue keys that are used only one time, only on a certain date(s) and within a defined time window. This minimizes the possibility of any misuse.

2. CONVENIENCE: Electronic access gives people the freedom to schedule tours at their convenience. Whether itโ€™s early morning or late evening, they explore the property without coordinating with staff, making it easier to fit into their busy lives.

3. MONITORING, CONTROL & SAFETY: Electronic access control systems allow property managers to monitor who enters the property and at exactly what time(s). Some visitor management products take photos of all access attempts at specific entry points. These products ensure the security of the property while providing an audit trail of who accessed specific entry points and when.

Conclusion

As self-guided tours continue to rise in popularity as a modern leasing strategy, the integration of electronic access control systems is proving to be a game-changer for property managers and potential tenants alike. By offering safe, convenient, and flexible property viewing options, these access control solutions meet the needs of todayโ€™s consumers while streamlining operations for property management teams. As the demand for independence in the home-hunting process grows, electronic access will become increasingly critical in facilitating a seamless, user-friendly experience that benefits everyone involved.

The information provided here was based off research and solutions available at the time this post was written.