Tour messy current unit to potential tenants

[Steve C.]

My current unit is occupied by current tenant and it is definitely not in a tidy state. What do you do in this situation? Do you still show the unit to potential tenants?

I posted pictures for the unit when it was staged 2 years back, so potential tenants have good impression about the unit. But I am worried that they might be disappointed by actual unit. If I wait the tour until current tenant moves out, then potential tenants might not wait for this unit and I thought it would be difficult to find good tenant in short time window. 

Any suggestion greatly appreciated! 

[Marc Winter]

In a word: "NO".  

It's better to wait until the property is vacant, repaired, and cleaned.  When you show a prospect a property that is not in move-in condition, they have no imagination about it, but they do have expectations.  99 out of 100 times, those expectations will not be met by you.  

"I thought/wanted the walls painted grey, not tan".

When it's finished and rent-ready, you can say "What you see is what you get".

Good luck.