self tour open houses near me

Self-tours available for your convenience

Touring a Main Street Renewal home is simple and designed for convenience. Tour when you're ready, without having to coordinate schedules with an agent.

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Click "Tour this home" and schedule your visit.

Drive over to the house, unlock the door, and start your tour!

Tips for self-tours

Please be sure to lock all doors when you depart.

Visit msrenewal.com to find similar homes near you to explore your options.

Feel free to bring a tape measure to ensure the interior is the right fit for your furniture.

Self-tours are available seven days a week from 8 am - 8 pm.

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• Call the number on the property listing. Follow the automated instructions to receive a text link to the property on Rently, our lock provider.
• Click “SELF TOUR NOW” on Rently.
• If you have not toured with Rently before, you will need to register. Rently will provide additional instructions to walk you through registration and verification.
• Select a time to tour (it can even be “right now”) and Rently will text you a link.
• Click the provided link and follow the prompts.
• Standing within a five (5) foot radius of the lock, use your finger pad to touch the checkmark ? or pound symbol # first, then enter the code, followed by ? or #

Example: ?12345? or #12345#

The serial number is on the top of the lock. If the numbers are not clear or rubbed off, call or text our Resident Care Team at (855) 239-4530 and they can provide you the number.

Try to enter the code again. Press either (?) or (#), depending on the keypad options, until the lock lights up, enter the code, then (?) or (#). If the code doesn’t work after three times, please call or text our Resident Care Team at (855) 239-4530. If the code is entered incorrectly the lock will flash an “x”.

• Call the number on the property listing. Follow the automated instructions to receive a text link to the property on Rently, our touring partner site.
• Open the texted link once you are at the home and follow the prompts.
• Enter the code onto the keypad; the box will open to provide the key.
• Please return the key and secure the lockbox when you leave.

The serial number is on the top of the lock. If the numbers are not clear or rubbed off, reach out to our Customer Care Team and they can provide you the number.

Try to enter the code again. Press Enter first, input the code (numbers only) and then press Enter again. If the code doesn’t work after three (3) attempts, please call or text our Resident Care Team at (855) 239-4530.

Rently is our self-touring access provider that allows you to conveniently tour our homes at your own pace, on the day and time that suits you best.

When you find the home on our website you would like to tour, click the "tour this home" button. In order to verify your identity, Rently will prompt you to create an account or sign-in. Once you select a tour package that fits your needs and pay the one-time fee, you will be able to schedule self-tours and view our homes.

Rently currently offers 3 different self-touring packages:

• $1.99 for 3 tours within 30 days
• $2.99 for 10 tours within 30 days
• $4.99 for unlimited tours within 60 days

We can send you a link. From there, you can register securely.

The property is coming on the market soon but not yet available for showing. We can add you to the waitlist so that once the property is available for showing, you will be notified as to how to conduct a self-showing.

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An On-Demand, Interactive Self-Tour Experience

The convenience home shoppers want. the solution sales teams deserve., exceed the expectations of modern home shoppers.

When surveyed, 79% of new construction buyers agree that the only way to understand the layout of a home is to see it in-person. Of those surveyed, 70% also indicated that it would be easier to unlock properties with their phone and tour them in-person on their own time — up from 64% reported in 2020. (Source: Zillow New Construction Consumer Housing Trends Report 2021)

These statistics reinforce what we already know to be true about the growing demands of today’s home shoppers and UTour can help you deliver on these expectations.

According to Zillow’s New Construction Consumer Housing Trends Report 2020 , 59% of new home buyers prefer to tour homes in-person before making a purchase decision and 64% agree that it would be easier for them to self-tour homes on their own time. Per Zillow, this is “an indication that they also prefer to tour without an agent or sales rep when experiencing a home for the first time.” UTour is a critical tool for homebuilders to increase sales efficiently through more in-person, “no-contact” self-guided tours after normal sales hours.

Today's Homebuyer Expects:

More convenience, less sales pressure, "no-contact" experience.

“No-Contact” Experience

Industry problems, solved by utour, overwhelming volume of interest.

Due to unprecedented market conditions, many builders are past capacity and unable to meet demand. UTour can keep home shoppers engaged while giving your sales team more time to handle in-person appointments.

Staffing and Scheduling Issues

Quality sales professionals are difficult to find. Many talented sales people won’t consider working for a builder as they don’t want to work weekends. UTour fills gaps in the schedule, offering tours without the sales team present.

Lingering COVID-19 Concerns

Even with the height of the pandemic behind us, COVID-19 has triggered a lasting impact on consumer behavior. Home shoppers’ expectations for a safe, no-contact experience still remain — and UTour can deliver.

Rising to the Top at The Nationals 2021

Utour earns silver awards in two categories:.

Best Use of Technology

Best Marketing Promotion by Supplier or Industry Partner

Self-Tour Online Guides & Resources

Ready to embrace the innovative technology that today’s home shoppers expect? Use the free resources below to learn how UTour is designed to make life easier for both home shoppers and homebuilders. It’s exciting and intuitive, and our team is available to help every step of the way.

Among the Homebuilders Tapping into the Power of UTour:

Copyright © 2024 Metrostudy Inc. dba UTour. All Rights Reserved.

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How to do a self-tour in 7 simple steps

Over the past few years, touring solutions have been arising in the real estate market to help prospects like you find your next home quicker and with ease. VR walkthrough tours, agent guided videos, and HD videography have given renters looking for a home more freedom and leverage as the listing process transitions online.

All of these creative solutions strive to help you ‘see’ and experience the listing from an online platform.

While the goal is to enhance the way that home hunters interact with the listed vacancy, these web-based solutions ultimately do not deliver the same experience as an in-person tour.

Touring the Rently Way

But that’s where Rently’s self-guided tour is taking the industry by storm. Rently combines cutting-edge technologies with a safe and secure in-person tour process that allows you to explore properties on your own – with more freedom than ever before.

Self-touring has always been an interesting prospect for potential renters and tenants, but the possibilities have been made even greater as a result of the pandemic. Whether it’s a unit in an apartment complex or a house, Rently’s self-guided tours are the new home hunting experience.

While self-touring offers a new layer to the home hunting process, dipping your toes into this new and exciting touring opportunity is efficient, quick, and convenient.

If you’ve never heard of self-guided tours or are curious about how a self-tour actually works, we’re going to explain.

Getting Started with a Rently self-tour

If you’re ready to start touring with Rently, here’s how easy it really is:

• Visit Rently’s home page and search where you want to view a property.
• Browse and choose the properties you want to tour.
• Set up your account by verifying your phone number, credit card, and a valid ID.
• Once you’re approved and ready to tour, you can schedule a tour on our site. 
• Once you’re at the property, locate the serial number of the smart device such as a lockbox or smart lock to gain their one-time access code.
• Enter the property using your one-time code. * If you are touring an apartment, use Rently’s app or just your web browser to guide you through the community. When you’re done, use the unique exit code to return the key if you used a lockbox. 
• When you find what you like, you can get in touch with the agent to take the next steps to find your new home!

It only takes 7 simple steps to start and finish self-touring.

Advantages of Self-Guided Tours For You

When you self tour a property, a real estate agent, or leasing agent does not need to meet you at the property. Self-guided tours don’t keep prospects stuck behind a computer screen or following on an agent’s coattails.

Rently’s revolutionary self-tour enables you to embark on listing tours without an agent present. Secured and safeguarded by Rently’s trained team of dedicated professionals, the process is powered by tech and enlivened by a real and physical immersive experience.

Rently self-guided tours have reimagined the touring process. Self-tours solve many of the problems commonly encountered by people looking for an apartment or looking for a home, including:

Schedule a tour on your own time means no coordinating schedules, having to leave work, or try to make it during normal business hours. Simply sign up and create your Rently account to start viewing properties on  your own.

See Multiple Units at Once

Rently’s self-guided tours support the social distancing mindset by cultivating a solo touring experience. Self-tours provide the manifold benefits of seeing a property in person without violating social distancing protocols.

Do It Your Way

According to HRC Retail Advisory, 95% of consumers want some time to themselves during their shopping experience. Rently gives you the liberty to speak openly, explore where and what you want to, and go through your own process independently without feeling the pressure of an agent present.

Emotional Buildup Renters usually experience anxiety, impatience, worry, and excitement all at once. Paired with the long waiting periods involved in setting up walkthroughs, those emotions build up.

Rently’s process eliminates this part of the renter’s journey by putting the reins in the renter’s hands. Go at your own pace to make moving a smooth, stress-free, and fun experience.

Self-Touring is Great for Home Hunters and Property Owners

In addition to the prospect perks, self touring is a great option for the renter. Self-guided touring frees up your team of leasing associates and collects hard data that can be used for future strategies.

Whether you’re a renter searching for your next home or a property manager seeking to optimize the leasing process, self-touring will revolutionize the entire marketing experience.

Ready to self-tour today? Schedule a self-tour today !

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Live Video Open Houses

For decades, open houses have been a key tool for buyers and sellers alike, providing a simple way to show a property or to begin your house hunt. However, situations can arise when it becomes impractical or impossible for buyers to make it to open houses in person. And in today’s digital and fast-paced world, where virtual real estate is on the rise, more and more buyers and sellers are simply looking for convenience. That’s why Redfin is now offering live video open houses - so buyers can still see homes without being there in person and sellers can continue to hold open houses regardless of the circumstances.

Whether you’re a buyer searching for your next home, or a seller looking to showcase your property, this guide will help you understand the ins and outs of live video open houses.

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Ask an Agent

What is a live video open house.

A live video open house is an open house in which all prospective buyers tour the home virtually via a live video conference through Zoom. The local Redfin agent will physically be in the home, walking potential buyers though every detail of property while also answering any questions you may have.

How to attend a virtual open house

If a home has an upcoming live video open house, it will be listed on the property’s details page on Redfin.com. Step 1: To sign up for a live video open house, click the “sign up here” button below the home you’re interested in seeing.

Step 2: Once you click the “sign up here” button, you will be brought to a registration form. Complete the registration form and click register.

Step: 3 You will then receive a confirmation email noting the date and time of the event. The email will also include a link that you can easily click to join the Zoom meeting the day of the open house. You will also receive a reminder email with the Zoom meeting details one hour before the open house begins.

Step 4: If you are unable to sign up for the open house in advance, don’t worry, you can join at any time while the open house is happening. Simply click the “click here to join” button on the home’s listing page and you will quickly be added into the live-streamed Zoom meeting.

What to expect at a live-video open house

A traditional open house is typically held over a few hours and potential buyers can come and go as they wish. With a live video open house, attendees will be asked to join at a specific start time and the open house will typically last an hour. Additionally, instead of being able to wander around at their own pace, a Redfin agent will guide prospective buyers through the home via video-chat.

Here’s a sample schedule for what you’ll experience during a live video open house:

Introduction: The Redfin agent will introduce themselves and the home you’re about to see.

Tour: The agent will walk slowly through the home, pointing out features as they go. They will show each room and all additional spaces like the yard, garage, and immediate outside area to give an idea of the neighborhood. They will highlight the layout, flooring, windows, fixtures, and more. The agent will carefully explain things that buyers aren’t able to experience through virtual tours, like the sounds, smells, and general ambiance of the home.

Time for Questions: The agent will pause at the end of every room to take questions, either via video or through chat messages.

Recap Tour: If time allows, the agent may go through the home a second time, based on what attendees are interested in.

Live video open house do's and don'ts

There are plenty of do’s and don’ts that come with seeing a home in person. However, with live video open houses, things are a bit different. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to follow: Do:

• Wait until the agent has finished showing a room before asking questions.
• Take notes on your likes, dislikes, and follow-up questions.
• If you have family members present with you, invite them to join the Zoom conference so they can also see the home.
• Don’t take screenshots or recordings. Remember that you’re viewing someone else’s property. Unless the owner has granted permission, you may be violating state laws.
• Reveal information that would compromise your negotiating power, like your level of interest in the home or your budget.

Questions to ask at a virtual open house

An open house is your best opportunity to ask the listing agent your questions — don’t be shy. There are plenty of recommended questions you should consider when touring homes in person, but what about when you’re taking virtual house tours? Here are some critical questions to consider asking during a live video open house:

• Have there been any recent renovations or repairs?
• What are the noise levels like inside and outside the home?
• Can you open any curtains or blinds so I can see all the possible views?
• How old are the kitchen appliances?
• Can you test functions such as opening cabinets, doors, and drawers; run the faucets; check the water pressure?
• What direction is natural light coming from?
• If touring a single-family home, how close by are neighbors’ homes?
• If touring a condo, can you show me any common areas, like the hallways or amenities of the building?

It’s also important to be aware that there will likely be other potential buyers on the live video open house with you, so you will likely not have one-on-one time with the listing agent. If you want to spend additional time noting detailed measurements and scrutinizing every square inch, book a private live-video chat tour or in-person tour with your Redfin agent.

How to prepare your home for a live video open house as a seller

As a seller, an open house is one of the best opportunities to attract potential buyers - and a virtual open house isn’t any different. While there won’t be the formalities of a sign in sheet, and hours spent away from your home, many potential homebuyers will still see your home thoroughly. Be sure to take time and prepare your home for this virtual setting just as you would with an in-person open house.

Check out our open house checklist for sellers to make sure you’re prepared.

Live video open houses benefits for buyers

Increased convenience. Imagine a prospective buyer sitting at home, yet virtually touring another home’s kitchen and living room before heading upstairs to check out the new master suite. They then step outside to view the pool in the backyard and the surrounding neighborhood - all from the comfort of their own couch.

Ability to see more homes. Because of the convenience of video open houses, you can see more properties, in more locations, whether looking for a home in your area or in another state.

In-depth viewing. Unlike traditional real estate videos of homes, with live virtual tours, you’ll be able to ask questions in real time, such as if a room has crown moulding or how much natural light comes in through a window.

Live video open house benefits for sellers

Reach a wide audience. Unlike traditional real estate videos of homes, with live virtual tours, you’ll be able to ask questions in real time, such as if a room has crown moulding or how much natural light comes in through a window.

Attract out-of-town buyers. If you're selling your house , holding a virtual open house is an efficient way to attract homebuyers moving to a new city, who would otherwise have to drive for hours or take a flight to see a home.

More serious buyers. Traditional open houses often attract neighbors and anyone who may be passing by - these viewers are likely not interested in buying your home, but instead just want to see inside. However, because viewers can’t just stumble into a virtual open house while driving by, those attending are likely more serious about finding a home and making an offer.

A more comfortable way to display your home. You won’t have to leave your home for hours anymore, compared to a traditional open house. It also provides you with an increased sense of privacy and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can i conduct or attend a live video open house.

Redfin currently offers live video open houses in many markets and more every day. If buying, follow the steps listed above to see a live video open house in your area. If selling, check with your Redfin agent to see how to get your house featured in a live video open house.

How do I ask questions during the live video open house?

There will be plenty of opportunities for questions during the house tour. The agent will pause at the end of every room and at the end of the tour to take questions, either via video or through Zoom chat messages.

Is there a limit to the number of people who can join a live video open house?

Up to 100 attendees can join each live video open house.

How is a live video open house different from a live video-chat tour?

A live video open house is a virtual home tour attended by multiple prospective buyers and hosted by the listing agent; while a live video-chat tour is virtual one-on-one viewing for a single prospective buyer, hosted by the buyer’s agent.

Learn More About Buying and Selling Virtually

How to Buy and Sell with a Virtual Brokerage

What is a 3D Walkthrough Home Tour?

Live Video Chat Tours

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How to Go to An Open House: 12 Steps to Follow

• House Hunting
• Open Houses
• Published on March 2nd, 2023

Emily Eddy is a writer and art curator based in Chicago. Emily has been interested in real estate since a young age, as she grew up helping her mom with home renovations in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Emily resides in a live-work loft in the Wicker Park neighborhood where she operates a "microcinema"; an apartment gallery specific to exhibiting experimental film. Emily and her cat, Clark Gable, spend their days writing, watching movies, gardening, and of course, binging HGTV.

Richard Haddad is the managing editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.

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At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict  editorial integrity in each of our posts.

Whether you’re actively shopping for a new home or just curious about what different neighborhoods have to offer, there’s no better way to start your research than by attending open houses. Open houses are excellent tools that serve many purposes: finding a house you’d like to buy, dipping your toes into the housing market to see what you like, or to understand what your money can get you in the area you are looking to buy.

Open houses are nothing to be scared of, and they can be excellent learning experiences, but if you’ve never gone to an open house before, you might be nervous! We’ll walk you through the process and teach you how to go to an open house like someone who does it every weekend.

Ready to start shopping for a home?

A top-rated agent can help you negotiate a great deal, spot red flags, and introduce you to homes that best suit your needs. Find an amazing real estate agent in your area using HomeLight today.

Step 1: Know why you’re going in (and be in alignment)

There are many reasons why someone might attend an open house, and it’s important for you to understand why you are going.

Define your open house mission:

• Did you just move to a new area and want to look at what’s available with hopes to buy eventually?
• Are you looking in an area where you don’t currently live to see what types of homes are in that market?
• Are you a current homeowner who wants to see what’s trendy on the sales market?
• Are you looking for your forever home (or your “for now” home)?
• Maybe you’re just looking at homes that are similar to yours to get new design inspiration.

All of these are totally acceptable reasons to attend an open house, but you’ll want to make sure you’re clear in your own mind about what you’re hoping to get out of your open house experience — and that friends, partners, or family members attending with you are aware of your intentions and on the same page with you.

Step 2: Talk to an agent first if you’re interested in buying

If your open house goal isn’t to buy soon, then there is no reason to involve an agent — but otherwise, an agent can give you valuable insight about different homes that you can’t get elsewhere, and also help you access open houses you wouldn’t be able to find on your own.

Agents are people, too, and often, they know each other. Tell your agent what open houses you are planning on attending, and in many cases, they will be able to tell the agent listing the open house to expect you. This will show the seller that you are serious about buying and that you already have an agent representing you.

If you plan in advance, your agent may be able to attend the open house with you, if that’s what you want. If you see an open house while taking a walk and decide to go spontaneously, it’s unlikely that your agent can drop everything and come — but let them know that you went anyway.

Top Portland, Maine, agent Holly Mitchell , who has 13 years of open house experience, says, “If you are already working with an agent, it’s always great to see if your agent can meet you at the open house. If they can’t, always tell them where you’re going — and be specific, because your agent can reach out to the listing agent.”

Mitchell adds that you can always sign the guestbook with your agent’s name instead of your own: “If a buyer wants to attend but they don’t want to have all their information out there to get emails or calls, it’s perfectly appropriate to sign your agent’s name. That way, the seller’s agent can follow up directly with your agent.”

Step 3: Get preapproved for a mortgage if you want to buy

This is another step that you can go ahead and skip if you are not looking to buy at the moment — but if you are, then getting preapproved for a mortgage while you are still in the process of attending open houses will ensure you’re only spending time touring homes that you can actually afford to buy.

If you do get preapproved for a mortgage, but you’re not totally sure what you want, it is a great idea to attend open houses that are within the price you are approved for to see what you will get for your money in the area (or areas) you are looking at.

Step 4: Decide how to organize your notes

No matter why you’re going to an open house, you probably want it to be a learning experience of some kind, and in order to remember what you learned, you’ll want to take notes.

There’s no doubt that the homes will start to all blur together if you don’t have a way to keep track of your experiences. Take notes, photos, and videos if you like, and be sure to highlight the specificities of the home that make it stand out.

Consider utilizing a house-hunting checklist or another way to document what you loved or didn’t love about each home — and which was which — to keep it all straight.

Step 5: Confer with experts about common red flags

When you are attending an open house, whether or not you are interested in buying right now, looking for potential damage will give you a greater understanding of the home’s price and help you know what red flags to look out for. Local real estate agents, home inspectors, and home contractors can help give you an inside scoop on common issues with homes in your area and their signs.

The big ones to check for typically include:

• Leaks under sinks, sticky windows and doors
• Cracks in ceilings and walls
• Water stains on walls and ceilings
• Evidence of mold or pests.

Research any common issues found in homes in the area that you are looking to buy, and find some folks who can educate you at a high level about how to find them. An experienced top agent is your best initial resource to spot red flags.

Step 6: Find the open houses you want to attend

Strolling through neighborhoods where you’re interested in finding open houses can make for a fun Saturday, but it’s not the most effective way of finding open houses in your area.

To find all the best open houses, you can look online at your local MLS (multiple listing service ), on real estate platforms, or posted on flyers or signs around town, especially at local real estate agencies.

Popular days are Saturdays and Sundays, so keep your weekend afternoons free if you are looking to attend several open houses.

Step 7: Plan your open house day

When you’ve got a list of houses that you’re excited to tour, you’ll need to plan your open house day.

Most open houses are only open for certain time windows, and if you want to hit several, you’ll need to plan which you’re attending first, and account for traffic and travel time, too.

Be sure to pay close attention to the time windows so you won’t be overbooking yourself and miss open houses that might just be the one!

Step 8: Be prepared to sign in

It is standard practice for open houses to require attendees to sign in. If you think about it, you’d probably want a record of any complete strangers who happened to have access to your house if the roles were reversed!

Many sign-in sheets will include fields for an email address, which you can withhold, but be ready to write down your real name and show an ID.

As we noted earlier, if you are interested in buying, you can also put down your agent’s name and email so the listing agent can get in contact with them.

Step 9: Know how to behave

There is a lot of literature out there about open house etiquette , so we’ll just cover the basics here.

• Don’t crowd other buyers, and don’t overcrowd or take up too much of the seller’s agent’s time.
• Don’t be a creep! Opening closets and doors to check out storage space is usually fine, but don’t start rummaging through drawers, papers, or personal items.
• Always ask before taking pictures, and follow house rules. Open house rules can include requests like taking off your shoes, wearing booties, or wearing a mask if asked.
• It’s common for agents to provide refreshments at an open house, but don’t expect to be fed, and don’t bring in outside food.
• Most importantly, consider how you would like people to act if you were hosting an open house, and be respectful of the seller’s wishes.

Step 10: Ask lots of questions

Agents are there to help, and even if you aren’t actively shopping, they typically don’t mind answering your questions , so ask away. After all, this house might be a great fit for someone you know.

Agents know details about the house that might not be visible even a thorough glance. Mitchell says, “Agents will have property disclosures, and they should have copies available at open houses that you can look at while you walk around the home to learn about it.”

This property disclosure ( which isn’t required in every state ) will have many details about the house, including information about the age of systems in the home, the condition of the roof, any known plumbing issues, and much more.

Get Your List of Open House Questions!

When you visit an open house, take this list of 60 questions with you so that you can decide if the home is a hit or a miss.

Enter your email address below :

Step 11: Don’t disclose too much about yourself!

If you are looking to buy, telling the listing agent at the open house your exact budget and why this is the perfect house for you is likely going to backfire if you get to the negotiating stage — so be polite but noncommittal about your opinions, and only talk in general price ranges, not specifics.

Unlike renting, where showings can feel competitive, buying requires a bit more of a poker face to get the right price. Also, don’t get stressed and start disclosing information about how keen you are to buy based on the number of attendees at an open house.

Remember, people go to open houses for all kinds of reasons, including just for fun. Rest assured that even a crowded open house might not get swamped with offers, though it does depend on the market.

Step 12: Wait until you leave to discuss the house with fellow attendees

You don’t want the agent to report back to the seller that you loved or hated the place, so wait until you’re in more private environments to debrief with your friends and fellow attendees. Go have a latté and mull over your pros and cons in private!

Whatever your open house needs currently are, don’t be afraid to head in. As long as you are respectful to the seller’s wishes and you stay mindful of the listing agent’s time, you’ll have a great opportunity to add to your home research. Partner with an experienced buyer’s agent as you explore the market. And you never know — you may end up closing on that home after the opening!

Header Image Source: (Sophie Nito / Unsplash)

Contributing Author

Richard Haddad

Managing Editor

Tour On Your Time

Your home. your schedule.

When we say we want your home-buying experience to be as easy and enjoyable as possible, we mean it. Introducing SELF TOUR, on-demand, self-guided tours Powered by Utour.

You can now explore our new homes on your own, 7 days a week from 8 am until 8 pm, whenever it’s most convenient for you. Our team is ready to answer any questions you have!

• Select the home you want to tour
• Reserve a 30-minute window
• Receive a digital entry code to unlock the front door
• Show up at your designated time and let yourself in

Then, come on in and take a look around. Appreciate every detail. Have fun! Finding your new home has never been more convenient! Self-Tour is currently available in our models as well as select quick move-in homes.

19 Self-Tour Homes

• Communities
• Quick Move-Ins
• Model Homes
• Self-Tour Homes

Open Daily 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

6437 W Piaffe St

4991 N. Brock Ave.

Monday - Friday: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

11468 S. Saylis Pl.

11484 S. Saylis Pl

2026 E Wythe Creek St.

4729 W Apgar St

8465 W. Meltwater Ln.

4737 W Apgar St

11308 S Yeoman Pl

11950 W Zamalek Ct

11335 S Saylis Way

6760 W Piaffe St

6742 W. Piaffe St

11627 W. Ballad Ct.

11701 W Ballad Ct

11712 W Ballad Ct

1929 N Willowick Ave

6652 W Piaffe St

6125 W Centerline St

So much to do in the Treasure Valley!

Lucky Peak State Park & Resevoir

Lucky Peak State Park & Resevoir offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, camping, boating, swimming, and waterskiing. 

Whitewater Park

Golf in eagle.

BanBury Golf Course is a challenging 6,908 yar, par 71 public course. 

The Club at SpurWing has an 18-holer Championship Course that is the longest private course in the valley. SpurWing is also the only private facility in the valley with a putting course and a nine-hole par-three Challenge Course.  

River Birch Golf Course right off highway 16, is a 6,980 yard, par 73 golf course that is known for its excellent course conditions. 

Gateway Parks

Gateway Parks is a popular family park that offers a variety of activities year round. In winter, enjoy a world-class tubing and ski and snowboard hill. In summer, zip line, slide down the water slide and let the kids play in the splash pad.

Falcon Crest Golf Club

Falcon Crest Golf Club is ranked one of Idaho’s top 5 golf courses. Falcon Crest allows golfers to experience beautiful landscapes and views during theur course. Falcon Crest features 

• The Freedom Course, a 9-hole executive course
• The Cadet Course, an executive par 3 course
• Falcon Crest Championship Course with 27 championship golf holes

Roaring Springs

Roaring Springs is the largest water park in the Northwest, with cabanas, places to eat, and more than 20 water attractions, fun for the whole family. 

Meridian Speedway

Crave kitchen & bar, chateau des fleurs.

Chateau des Fleurs is a beautiful venue for afternoon tea, wedding and events. 

3 Horse Ranch Vineyards

3 Horse Ranch Vineyards is the largrest family-owned winery in Idaho and noe covers close to 50 acres. 

Anderson Reserve

Anderson Reserve provides a top-of-the-line butcher shop, fine country dining restaurant and retail market. 

Downtown Boise

• Idaho State Capital Building 
• Boise Art Museum
• Basque Museum and Culteral Center
• Shop and dine at the BoDo (Boise Downtown) district is a bustling area filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues
• Egyptian Theatre
• Idaho State Historical Museum
• Discovery Center of Idaho
• Aquarium of Boise
• Spirit of Boise Baloon Classic
• Old Idaho Penitentiary 
• Hike Table Rock
• Idaho Botanical Garden 
• Camel’s Back Park
• Freak Alley Gallery

The Village at Meridian

The Village at Meridian is an outdoor shopping center and entertainment complex that features over 100 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues including Village Cinema and Big Al’s 

Warhawk Air Museum

Tresidio homeowner testimonials..

I have had the pleasure of both representing Tresidio homes and taking my buyer clients to use them for a custom build job. The more recent transaction was representing the buyer. I know that I can take my clients to Tresidio and can count on top notch service. The superintendent, Andy Rice, was fantastic. Great communication and always followed through on his word. This goes for ALL the project managers with Tresidio. If you are looking for a smooth process where they have eliminated a lot of the head ache, look to Tresidio Homes.

We recently took ownership of our Tresidio Home in Star, ID. Throughout the process and upon completion the Tresidio team has been professional and great to work with. We are very happy with our home, the attention to detail, quality, design and building. Thanks Joe and team we love it! We would highly recommend a Tresidio home for those in search of their new home.

We built our home with Tresidio Homes in Summit Ridge Subdivision - moved in March 2021. From dirt to move in we've had an excellent experience. Not only did we choose a beautiful community but are fortunate to have Tresidio be our builder of choice. We built the Birkdale model, which for us needed minimal changes or additions. It's a fantastic, functional floor plan for our family and we couldn't be happier. I believe Tresidio took my vision and executed it perfectly. We are pleased to call this beautiful space HOME.

When we decided it was time to build our dream home we had no idea how much farther Tresidio would take us. From the first contact with Cinnamon helping us find the right floor plan and lot to Nadza helping us in the design studio to Anthony our project manager everyone was an absolute professional who obviously cared about our dream and wanted it to come true. We've been in our home for two weeks and we still have a hard time believing it is ours! If you want to build a house, Tresidio is who you want to build it with.

With the market right now, it is extremely hard to get ahold of builders in the valley.....After calling and emailing multiple real estate and new home companies with no response I was happy to finally get through the first try when I called Tresidio. I was able to speak with Kayla, a member of the sales team and she was more than helpful and answered all my questions and walked me through every step of the process. She was so kind and friendly despite me asking many questions. I was pleasantly surprised that she gave me an answer to every question with no hesitation and was very straightforward with me with how things work. She was fantastic and really helped me understand things better and I am very grateful. :-) keep up the great work Tresidio

Tresidio was awesome from start to finish! Responsive and professional. As with all new construction, issues came up and I was impressed with their problem solving skills! Special thanks to our superintendent, Kai Duncan. He played a a big part in making it a smooth and enjoyable process. Thank you!

Choosing Tresidio Homes was the best decision we made (other than moving to Idaho). From the beginning the sales staff was great to deal with. They were one of the only builders in the area who openly proved they were willing to make accessibility modifications in our new home for our disabled daughter. They showed their honesty in correcting a pricing mistake in our favor at the time of signing. Their designer showroom was fantastic. The quality of the home is great, but the best part is their organization and our project superintended Joe L. No one could have done a better job than Joe in making sure everything was right when we move in.

Greg and Marsha

We've just completed our framing tour with Joe, our Project Manager, exactly 5 weeks to the day that we broke ground on our new home. From our first meeting with Eric (New Construction Specialist), to our Design Studio experience with Nadza and Ashley, and our weekly progress updates/pictures with Joe, our experience with Tresidio has been EXCEPTIONAL!!. There's no doubt, they have their schedules and processes dialed in. From the very beginning, we have felt that Tresidio wants to build the house that we want and not the house they want to sell us. At no time has Tresidio been focused on the price tag but rather our buying experience and our satisfaction! This is something the 'big builders' should take note of. In a competitive market like we are experiencing, being the biggest doesn't guarantee being the best. Nothing can replace the one-on-one interaction and the personal service this group ensures!

We have the great opportunity to work with many different builders. Tresidio has such great people in all areas of the Company and promotes an incredible culture that carries over to the amazing homes they build. They have an excellent system of communicating with their homeowners throughout the entire build, taking much of the possible anxiety out of the building process. They are great before the sale, during the sale, and more importantly after the sale! Highly recommend!

Tresidio built our new home. It was the best experience ever. Every person involved in the process was extremely kind and helpful. At the very beginning we had a setback which Tresidio handled very professionally, and I felt that they went out of their way to make us happy. The process they have in place from beginning to end flowed seamlessly which minimized the stress of building. Anthony was our project manager. I can't even begin to put into words how wonderful he was to work with. He always responded quickly to our questions, and was there to reassure us when we didn't understand something. Tresidio builds amazing homes. I absolutely love ours and would highly recommend them.

Andy R, Project Manager on our new home build, kept the project on schedule and at times ahead of schedule. Andy kept us informed at every step of the way with weekly follow ups with pictures. He was attentive to questions and concerns we may have had throughout the project. From start to finish the project went along seamless and without stress!

I would look to Tresidio again if I were to build a new home and definitely refer friends and family to them looking for a reliable company.

Awesome company to work with! We love our new home, and were so grateful for a smooth building process! Everyone we met in the office was kind and helpful! Eric showed us many floor plans and took us (and our realtor) around to different Tresidio builds so we could choose a layout that best fit our needs. Nadza was super helpful with the design portion in the beginning setting a positive tone for the rest of the build. Our project manager was Gari and he was so helpful and accommodating throughout our build. We were pretty particular and he came through by meeting our expectations! He kept us up to date and was always quick to include us on changes or questions with the different trades as they came up. Thank you Tresidio!

New Construction - We moved in in late October and right on schedule from their estimated date given to us six months earlier. Kai was there for us during the entire construction project, answering questions and supervising the work. With all new houses, there are always little issues to resolve and Kai and Tom worked diligently with the subcontractors to have every tiny little issue corrected in no time at all.

Comparing our experience to friends and family that have used some of the larger builders in the Treasure Valley, I can't recommend Tresidio enough. Their level of service is much higher and their attention to detail much greater. Also, you may spend less initially for that dream house built by the big corporation, but by the time you add the simple upgrades that Tresidio includes in their base price, you will spend as much if not more.

If you can find a lot that Tresidio has available, go with them! Thank you Kai, Tom, Cinnamon, and Nadza!

We recently closed on our new home built by Tresidio. After considering other companies, we chose Tresidio due to their reputation and the quality we saw in their finished homes.

This was our first new home build and we did it from out of state. Tresidio's system for communicating made it much easier. We went to the design studio where we made our selections and Nadza was great to work with.

Once construction started, Joe Lords was assigned as our project manager. Some of the first things he told us was he would treat it as if it was his home being built and he was a very strict about maintaining a clean construction site.

The trades must have a healthy respect for Joe because in every photo, and during each visit, the site was incredibly clean. It doesn't sound like much but when you see it, you recognize it as quality. Joe is a great guy who was incredibly communicative, professional, organized and made things happen.

The entire Tresidio team was very responsive and have the attitude of taking care of any issues in the best manner because it is the right thing to do. There were a couple of times where Tresidio put me in contact with trade experts to answer questions I had due to my lack of construction knowledge.

Even Tresidio's real estate side of the house was helpful and flexible for us. When speaking with friends who went through new home construction, several have commented that our job seemed to go smoothly compared to theirs. Our home looked better when finished than we imagined. I highly recommend Tresidio for new home construction.

Have Questions?

We Have Answers!

We’re here to help! Fill out the form and we will contact you shortly.

Or give us a call at (208) 886-4394

Limited Time Only! 2% Builder Incentive on completed quick move-in homes!

Spring into your dream Tresidio Homes TODAY!! Enjoy a 2% Builder Incentive on all completed quick move-in homes.

*Must use our preferred lender, First Colony Mortgage. See a Sales associate for details. 

Self-Tour Rental Properties

Here at Incentive Properties, we’re excited to offer our all-new feature: Self-Tour Rental Properties. We’ve teamed up with Rently to offer technology that allows you, the prospective tenant, to visit a rental property alone at your convenience! Visit the property any time through Rently’s innovative self-show system. All you need is a credit/debit card to access the key from our electronic box to begin. With self-touring rental properties, once your in you can spend up to 1 hour deciding if the property feels like home. No more frustration of coordinating with leasing agents for showings or open houses. Do it yourself, on your time- it’s that easy with self-touring rental properties! Curious about our current available properties? See what’s available here.

Complete the form below to claim your FREE month of property management, and receive a Free Rental Property Analysis!

• Name * First Last
• Address of Investment Rental Property *
• Tell Us About Your Property
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Don’t worry, we have a zero tolerance spam policy!

Self-Guided New Home Tours

• July 24, 2020
• Lance Johnson

As technology changes, so does the way Taylor Morrison helps home buyers find and purchase the new construction house of their dreams. We’re excited to announce the rollout of a brand new way for you to experience move-in ready homes across the country and we know you’re going to love it. 

It’s called a Self-Guided Tour and it’s going to change the way you think about visiting a new house for sale.

See which divisions are currently offering Self-Guided Tours and read on to learn how it works and why it’s beneficial to you as a home shopper.

What is a Self-Guided Tour?

The basic idea is simple. Instead of meeting up with a realtor to visit a home you’d like to see, you schedule an appointment online and then let yourself into the home with a 4-digit code sent straight to your smartphone.

Arrive at your appointment time and explore the home. It’s the flexibility you’ve always wanted in a real estate tour.

Freedom, convenience, and privacy

Traditionally, taking a tour of a move-in ready showcase home means making an appointment with a realtor or new home consultant and then walking through the home together with your agent. It might be hard to coordinate your schedules and find a time that works for both of you.

While viewing a home with an agent offers plenty of benefits, like learning about unique features of the home and having your questions answered immediately, you may prefer the freedom to tour the home on your own terms.

With a Self-Guided Tour, you have the property all to yourself, to explore at your own pace and speak candidly about the home.

Spend as much time as you’d like in the rooms that interest you most while quickly taking a peek at the spaces that aren’t as important to you. Map out where you’d put your furniture. Come and go as you please during your allotted appointment time. 

This is your tour, your way.

How does it work?

Setting up your Self-Guided Tour account is fast and easy.

• Find a ready-now home you like that offers Self-Guided Tours. You can either access available listings from our up-to-date Self-Guided Tour page or click the SELF-GUIDED TOUR​ » button under the home stats on the home’s inventory page.
• Select a one-hour time slot between 6AM and 8PM to schedule your tour.
• Review and accept the terms and conditions.
• Verify your identification.
• Receive your 4-digit entry code.

Feel free to book as many tours as you’d like and you’re more than welcome to visit the same home twice. Do be sure to go back in and schedule a new appointment as your entry code expires at the end of your time slot.

Where are Self-Guided tours available?

Self-guided tours are currently available in all states where Taylor Morrison builds new homes. You’ll find houses for sale in Orlando, FL, townhomes selling in Kirkland, WA and plenty of choices in between.

Find homes to tour now and be sure to stay tuned if Self-Guided Tours are not yet available in your preferred location – and remember that you can still schedule a private 1:1 showing at any of our move-in ready homes.

What if I have questions about the home?

Don’t worry, if any questions or concerns pop up during your tour, our Internet Home Consultants are available by phone to answer the call.

You can also easily schedule an additional appointment online to come back and walk through the home again with a Community Sales Manager.

Fall in love with the house? Reserve it!

Another new feature from Taylor Morrison is the option to reserve a house you like to lock in a set price for 24 hours and guarantee nobody else buys the home.

NOTE: Reserve this home feature is not available in all markets and not activated for all listings.

Preparing for your first Self-Guided Tour

• Learn more about Internet Home Consultants and how they can support you during the home buying process. 
• Download this helpful dream home checklist so you can take notes during your tour. This is especially helpful if you are planning to visit several homes so that you can remember which is which.
• For right now, children under the age of 18 and pets are not allowed to come along for your Self-Guided Tour. Please make any necessary arrangements in advance.

Take additional tours from the comfort of your sofa

Self-Guided Tours are in addition to our popular virtual tour option. You’ll still be able to explore dozens of floor plans, ready-now homes and exciting options and upgrades from your smartphone, computer or tablet.

Virtual tours are great because you can experience a lot of different floor plans in a short time period. One or two-stories? Game room or media center? Expand the covered outdoor living area? Add a pool? You can explore all these options from the comfort of home and then schedule Self-Guided Tours of the houses you like best. It’s all part of giving you more control over the home shopping process to ensure that you find a home you’ll love to live in.

Have fun exploring on your own

We hope our new Self-Guided Tour option simplifies the process for making your Next Move into the home you’ve always wanted. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact an Internet Home Consultant . Happy house hunting!

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Stay in the know.

All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, availability, school assignments and ratings, incentives, floor plans, exteriors, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change, availability or delay without notice. Any community improvements, recreational features and amenities described are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change and under no obligation to be completed. Maps and plans are not to scale, are not intended to show specific detailing and all dimensions are approximate. Prices may not include lot premiums, upgrades and options. Community Association or other fees may be required. This communication is not intended to constitute an offering in violation of the law of any jurisdiction and in such cases our communications may be limited by the laws of your state. Please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager or Online Sales Manager for details and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. For our Age Qualified Communities only: At least one resident of household must be 55 or older, and additional restrictions apply. Some residents may be younger than 55 in limited circumstances. For minimum age requirements for permanent residents in a specific community, please see Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager for complete details.

Recognized as Richmond's 2024 Builder of the Year — see all awards HERE:

Self Guided Tours

About Self-Guided Home Tours

Just like homes, home tours aren’t designed to be a “one size fits all” experience. But with some help from our partner UTour, we’re able to open our Model Homes and select Quick Move-In Homes for self-guided tours that work on your schedule. Whether you’re seeking to explore a home outside our business hours, or simply prefer to look around on your own, our self-guided experiences provide an hour to tour a home, take photos, and discover if you feel right at home.

Schedule Your Self-Guided Tour

How it works.

5 easy steps to complete your self-guided tour

Select your Community

Browse our communities and choose the Model Home or Quick Move-In Home that moves you. (Or to see which homes offer self-guided tours, skip to the “Start Your Self-Guided Tour” section.)

Choose A Date & Time

Simply choose your desired date and time for your one-hour tour. Note that Model Homes are available for self-guided tours 7 days a week, before and after Model Home hours (6–11am and 6–9pm). Select Quick Move-In Homes are available for self-guided tours 24/7.

Verify It's You

Verify your identity using your government issued ID or your credit card. (We respect your privacy. Your personal information will be kept strictly confidential. Your credit card will not be charged.)

Unlock Your Tour

Once your identity is verified, you’ll receive a unique 4-digit code that you’ll use to unlock the door at any time during your scheduled tour. (For example, if you’re scheduled for 6pm, you can still unlock the door at 6:30pm.) For your convenience, we’ll also send an email or text confirmation with your appointment time and code.

Enjoy Your Tour

Walk around, snap pictures, and even jot down questions to ask our New Home Sales Consultant afterward (we’ll send you their contact info after your tour.) This is your time to picture yourself Living Up in a StyleCraft home!

SCHEDULE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR!

10206 burrough towns lane glen allen , va 23059.

• Community The Burroughs at Chickahominy Falls
• Floor Plan Magnolia
• Get Directions

15700 Canoe Pointe Loop Chesterfield , VA 23120

• Community Woolridge Landing
• Floor Plan Mattox

15790 Mosaic Creek Boulevard Richmond , VA 23238

• Community Mosaic at West Creek
• Floor Plan Hampton

TOUR TODAY!

200 quiet breeze alley midlothian , va 23113.

• Community The Edge at Westchester Commons
• Floor Plan Charlotte

TAKE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR TODAY!

2127 blossom trail avenue henrico , va 23223.

• Community The Reserve at Springdale Park
• Floor Plan Kenmore (3-Story)
• Availability Now

5124 Berkley Mill Drive Chester , VA 23831

• Community Townes at Iron Mill
• Floor Plan Wisteria

6836 Welara Run Moseley , VA 23120

• Community Greenwich Walk Townhomes
• Floor Plan Ivy
• Price $458,828

7304 Hancock Towns Lane Chesterfield , VA 23832

• Community The Overlook at Hancock Village
• Floor Plan Highland

7306 Hancock Towns Lane Chesterfield , VA 23832

• Floor Plan Rosewell

Watch: How Self-Guided Tours Work

This brief video will outline the easy steps you’ll take to complete your self-guided tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’re welcome to contact our Online Sales Consultant at 804.375.5481, who is available from 9am–9pm.

If you’re having trouble accessing the home during your scheduled appointment time, please reach out to the contact listed on the confirmation email you received. If your tour is scheduled during the hours of 9am–9pm, you may also contact our Online Sales Consultant at 804.375.5481.

We’re offering self-guided tours of each community’s Model Home and select Quick Move-In Homes. If self-guided tours are unavailable for a Quick Move-In Home you’re seeking to visit, please contact our Online Sales Consultant at 804.375.5481, who can help you schedule a private or virtual tour.

Yes! You’re welcome to book more than one self-guided home tour. For example, if we have an available Quick Move-In Home at the same community where you’re touring a Model Home, you are more than welcome to book a tour of each.

We understand how important it is for family and friends to see your future home alongside you. We encourage you to bring along a guest, but ask that each individual be over the age of 18 and that your group is limited to 6 people or fewer.

Your unique, 4-digit entry code will last for your scheduled 1-hour tour. You can come and go using that code at any point during the hour. Before or after your scheduled tour, the unique access code will not work.

In keeping with our COVID-19 response, we are following all CDC guidelines. Both Model Homes and Quick Move-In Homes are regularly cleaned by a professional cleaning company.

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What to Know About Home Inspections

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Moving in Retirement: Tips for a Smooth Transition

Top 5 Benefits of Purchasing a Quick Move-In Home

February 20, 2024

What is the difference between independent living and an active-adult community.

February 16, 2024

5 tips for getting your home ready for spring cleaning.

January 3, 2024

A peek into 2024’s most popular home décor trends.

A new way to discover home

Self-guided model home tours to meet your personal needs.

• HOW IT WORKS
• COMMUNITIES
• REQUEST INFO

Introducing: UTour

Before your tour

Once you find the home you want to visit, scheduling a self-tour is easy:

• Enter your email address to create an account.
• Select a date and time to tour the home.
• Verify your identity through one of the provided options.
• Check your email for home details and a code to unlock the front door.

During your tour

On the day of your tour, arrive at your selected time and enter the home using your door code. Once inside, you can personalize your self-guided home tour experience:

• Explore at your own pace—you have the entire tour time to yourself!
• Scan a QR code in the home to access community information.
• In homes that are outfitted with an Amazon Echo, you can ask Alexa questions about the home.

After your tour

When your appointment time is over, simply close the front door behind you to end your tour (don’t forget your belongings!). Our Community Representatives will be in touch to answer any questions you may have.

UTour self-guided home tours are available at select communities.

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Keep an eye on your inbox for all the latest news and updates from Shea, including tips for buying a home, community info, and more.

While UTour is available at many locations, it is not available at all communities or on all homes in all communities.

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Best Open House and Self-Tour Software for Realtors in 2024

A paper open house sign-in sheet is sooooo 2010.

There are too many solid options to professionalize your open house game in the 2020s. There’s no excuse.

The paperless open house has more benefits than just legible contact information and a polished personal image. A solid open house toolkit will let you promote your open house as well as automatically follow up with potential buyers.

Some include single property websites that you can post to social media and share with home buyers, too.

Next, you can take your game to the next level with self tours!

Offer the ultimate convenience for would-be buyers for your vacant listings! Allow agent-free showings! This may very well be the direction the industry is headed, and you have a chance to be an early adopter.

Read my self-tour and open-house software reviews below!

The Contenders

$25+ . Kagent is an Open house sign-in software the relies on QR codes to capture open house visitors. It is free for the basic sign-in system, and includes premium follow-up surveys and contests.

Open Home Pro

FREE+/mo . Open Home Pro is an Android and iOS app for open house showings. Open Home Pro offers a sign-in sheet and automated follow up after open houses.

Other Real Estate Open House Options

Other open-house marketing solutions and sign-in apps include:

Open House Software:

• AM Open House
• Block Party Open House App
• Open House Wizard

Self Tour Software:

Alternatives

Crms and platforms.

Some CRMs and Platforms have consumer-facing pages that can serve admirably as open house sign-in sheets. Wise Agent and kvCORE are examples that have specific resources for open houses.

A relatively simple workaround can be your own website. You can either create an open house form on a page there or even just share your site contact form. That is better than paper!

Listing Marketing

Many of the marketing tools and software designed to market your listings will also include open house features, like Proxio.

Get a Dedicated Tablet?

Five years ago, one wouldn’t imagine leaving a tablet just lying around for strangers.

But at under $60 for a Amazon Fire 7 as of this writing, it’s quite reasonable to have a decent sign-in tablet dedicated for your open house registrants.

Cheap Open House Sign-In Tablets

Android Tablet 8 inch, Android 11.0 Tableta 32GB Storage 512GB SD Expansion Tablets PC, Quad-core Processor 1280×800 IPS HD Touchscreen Dual Camera Tablets, Support WiFi, Bluetooth, 4300 mAh Battery.

iBuyers and the Rise of Self Tours

Self tours is a scary idea! Who is going to let buyers into a home with no agent?

Well, some of the largest companies in the space, that is who. Opendoor is one of the last remaining iBuyers and betting that many buyers want to see homes without an agent.

Institutional rental companies like First Key and Invitation Homes use self-tour software like Rently to allow rental prospects to tour homes on their own.

Self tours do more for these industry players than offer consumer convenience. It obviously maximizes the odds that a buyer might take advantage of self showing opportunities, and skip the buyer agent altogether.

The advantage that institutional investors have over brokerages, however, is that they own the homes. They don’t have a fiduciary duty to anyone but shareholders. Agents, however, have a fiduciary obligation to sellers. It is easy to see how self tours help an agent. It’s less obvious how they help the seller.

Self tours are still relatively new, so it remains to be seen what kind of effect they will have. Possibly buyers are trained to expect these and sellers will lose showings if they do not offer the service? It will be interesting to see if this becomes the new standard in real estate!

Property managers, in particular, are likely to find benefits of the self-tour in an industry where margins are slim, turnover is your biggest cost, and leasing agents are underpaid if paid at all.

Giving your seller and homeowner the option of offering self-tours to maximize accessibility and exposure might be a worthwhile experiment.

COVID and the Future of Open Houses

During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, agents and brokerages had to rethink their open house strategies. While 360 video and 3D tours might help to “socially distance” the buyer experience, there is no substitute for touring a house in person. And in some markets, open houses are fundamental to the proper marketing of a home.

It remains to be seen if COVID drives the industry and buyer expectations to a more “touchless” buying experience, perhaps to the detriment of open houses. But I have not observed this to be the case personally, yet. I see Open House signs in my neighborhood almost every weekend still.

It seems like Open Houses are here to stay. No virus can defeat it!

The future of real estate agents might be less as door-openers and more trusted advisors. Self touring home might be a thing!

Meanwhile, open houses are a useful tool for selling a home and promoting yourself. Professionalize yourself! There are free options to get started. Do it!

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