Traditional Rental Showings: When Gut Feeling Guided Every Decision

For decades, renting out property followed a simple pattern. You placed an ad in the local newspaper or put a sign in the window. Interested people called. You invited them to view the property. You chatted, sized them up, and made a decision based on how the conversation felt.

No forms, no online applications, no databases. Just face-to-face meetings, a handshake, and a landlord's gut feeling about whether this person would be a good tenant.

How the Traditional Process Worked

The old-school approach was straightforward. After your listing went out, potential tenants would reach out, usually by phone. You'd schedule viewings, often back-to-back on the same day, and meet each person at the property.

During the viewing, you'd walk them through the property while having a casual conversation. Where do they work? How long have they been there? Why are they moving? Do they have pets? How many people would be living there?

The questions were informal, but they served a purpose. You were trying to get a sense of who this person was, whether they seemed reliable, and whether they'd take care of your property.

The Power of Personal Connection

There was something valuable about meeting people face-to-face. You could read their body language, see how they reacted to the property, and gauge their enthusiasm. Did they ask thoughtful questions? Did they show up on time? Did they seem respectful and genuine?

Many landlords swear by their gut instincts. They could tell within minutes whether someone was serious or just browsing. Whether they'd be easy to work with or demanding. Whether they'd pay rent on time or be a problem.

This personal touch wasn't just about screening tenants. It also built rapport. A friendly landlord who took the time to chat created a positive first impression, making good tenants more likely to want the property.

Deciding Based on Gut Feeling

After meeting several candidates, the decision often came down to instinct. Who seemed the most responsible? Who did you feel most comfortable renting to? Who gave you the best impression?

Sometimes landlords would call references or previous landlords to verify the person's story. Other times, they'd skip this step entirely if they felt confident in their judgment. The process was flexible, informal, and highly personal.

Once you made your choice, you'd call the successful applicant, agree on terms, sign a lease, and hand over the keys. Simple, direct, and human.

The Challenges of the Old-School Approach

While there were benefits to the traditional method, it also had significant downsides that many landlords only recognized in hindsight.

Time-Consuming and Exhausting

Meeting every interested person meant spending hours at the property, often on evenings and weekends. You'd answer the same questions over and over. You'd show the property to people who weren't serious or didn't meet basic requirements.

There were no-shows, last-minute cancellations, and people who showed up but clearly hadn't read the listing. All of this added up to significant time lost.

Hard to Compare Applicants

Without written applications or structured notes, it was difficult to compare candidates fairly. You'd rely on memory, trying to recall who said what and who seemed more qualified. Details blurred together, especially when you met several people in a row.

Inconsistent Screening

Because the process was informal, you might forget to ask important questions or ask different questions to different people. This inconsistency made it harder to be fair and thorough in your decision-making.

Gut Feelings Aren't Always Right

While instincts can be valuable, they're not foolproof. A charming, well-dressed person might turn out to be unreliable, while someone who seemed nervous at the viewing could be an excellent tenant. Without objective criteria or documentation, it was easy to make mistakes.

A Better Way Exists Today

The traditional approach worked for many years, and there's still value in personal meetings and human judgment. But times have changed, and so have tenant expectations.

Today, you don't have to choose between personal connection and efficiency. Modern rental application tools like RentForms allow you to screen applicants upfront before scheduling viewings, while still maintaining the personal touch that builds trust.

With a simple online form, you can collect all the information you need (move-in date, employment, rental history, pet ownership) before spending time on viewings. You can compare applicants side-by-side, ask consistent questions to everyone, and make more informed decisions.

You still meet candidates face-to-face for final viewings, but only the ones who actually meet your criteria. You save hours of wasted time, reduce no-shows, and focus your energy on serious, qualified applicants.

The old-school approach taught landlords to trust their instincts, and that lesson still holds true. But pairing those instincts with better information and organization leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.