Open House for New Rental Property?

[Mary Swiercz]

Hi everyone! We are wrapping up our "everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong" rehab on our first rental property and my husband and I are debating over whether we hold an open house or list it. I say we forgo the open house because everyone and their mom in our small-ish town will be traipsing through out of curiosity. Although that may not be a bad thing? This building was sitting for about 5 years before we came in and basically did a complete gut job (and aged 10 years in the process). It's a historic circa 1900 building with 2 apartments on the 2nd floor and commercial space on the main floor. I don't want to waste my time on people who aren't future renters but the hubs thinks its good advertising. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks!

[Chris Sweeney]

I'd put the rental screening criteria in all ads. I'd do group showings to limit the time wasting. Probably not an open house except a one hour window on the weekend for group showings for prospects who have called and know your criteria and still want to see it.