I’ve written about this subject before but want to revisit it for the sake of our Landlords. If you are trying to rent an apartment in the off peak season (September - January 15th) then you must drop your keys of with a real estate office that you trust. I recommend NexGen Realty (I work here), Boardwalk Properties or Jacob Realty. All three are powerful rental companies with amazing marketing techniques. Unfortunately if we don’t have the keys to your unit a great tenant may look elsewhere because they were able to get into that apartment on their own schedule. Imagine a bride walking down the aisle to get married without a priest there. 80% of the work is done but you cant finish the ceremony. Same is true in rentals without the keys we cant finish the job.

I know what you are thinking, “But James, I will just meet you there when you have a prospective tenant” or “Here are the tenants phone numbers call them to let them know - they will let you in”, sounds perfect in theory but when life takes over it not so simple. I just cross referenced our last 15 rental deals here at NextGen with our key list and for 11 of those deals we had the keys to the units. Truthfully we are 74% more likely to rent your unit if we have your keys. Also those units were rented within 20 days of listing.

I can understand any fears you might have about handing over keys. Here are some questions to ask your broker when handing them over.
1) Will my keys be kept in a safe?
2) Is there someone there to monitor them. Example: Frontdesk attendant who oversees signout sheets.
3) Do you lend the keys out to other agencies. You want to hear an emphatic NO.
4) Is the Safe or Front Desk under Video Surveillance. You want to hear YES here.
5) Can I get my keys back whenever I want them. Yes, usually we take your originals and make copies though so you always have your own set.

NextGen Realty offers all of these comforts. So please if you need your place rented don’t get left standing at the alter. Gives us a set of Keys!

Filed under: Boston Landlord Tips and Advice