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Finding a rental could get easier with the help of a new app.
A new app could give busy renters the freedom to inspect properties on demand and help landlords secure tenants faster.
ShowMe, an initiative by Jellis Craig Hawthorn director Sophie Lyon, would let people inspect vacant rental properties at a chosen time.
Ms Lyon said she thought of the idea after talking to renters about the struggles faced during their search for a home.
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“Tenants talk about how hard it is to get to open for inspections when they’re all at the same time and many can’t get time off work to attend,” Ms Lyon said.
“So this idea is really about people being able to see properties at their convenience — perhaps at 8am on the way into work or on a Sunday afternoon outside of an agent’s regular business hours.”
The app would connect future tenants with ShowMe inspectors, who would be ready to show people around vacant properties for lease in a certain area.
Jellis Craig Hawthorn director Sophie Lyon is developing ShowMe.
“Agents could immediately accept a job or schedule a time later in the day if they have other appointments first,” Ms Lyon said.
“From a landlord’s perspective, this would get more people through their properties and it could help make the entire process faster.”
Property managers could also have more time for their other work if the mobile taskforce gave them a helping hand, she added.
1 Birrell Court, Kew is one of Melbourne’s most expensive properties for rent.
Vacant rentals could take advantage of the ShowMe app.
Ms Lyon won realestate.com.au’s Real Ideas Prize.
Ms Lyon received a $60,000 grant to develop the idea after winning realestate.com.au’s Real Ideas Prize.
While only in the early stages, there are hopes of having it rolled out in the next year.
Realestate.com.au’s executive manager of rent Kul Singh said the platform could help manage all stages of the rental journey.
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