Showing properties while undergoing upgrades?

[Michaela Baer]

Hi BP community! 

I own a long-distance property and the current tenants will be vacating at the end of April. I'm planning to do some minor repairs, such as new paint (same colour) and replacing carpet with laminate in some of the rooms. I'm also contemplating a bathroom renovation, but am not 100% about going forward with that.

My property managers have told me that they will be unable to show the unit to prospective tenants until the upgrades are complete. This is my first tenant turnover and I'm wondering if this is a common approach. I would have thought that if the upgrades are minor there should be no problem showing the unit as long as one is clear with the tenants about the final product and timeline of the upgrades.

What do you guys think? Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm pretty new to landlording and would really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

[Bill Crow]

@Michaela Baer

I have shown a few properties under reno such as flooring replacement, etc. Regardless of what prospects tell you, they can’t (or won’t) see past the dust and disarray, and you are likely wasting time showing it. Better to take a few days and make it pretty first, then show it and get it filled. Maybe others have had better luck, but that’s been my experience.