Self-touring started tobecome popular last year as big institutional owners haveimplemented self-touring technology, like smart locks andinformative apps. While the trend was still getting off the ground,it has now become crucial for owners to carry out apartment leasingwith social distancing measures.

"There was a ground swell last year of this concept ofself-touring. Residents were showing up at apartment buildings andwanted to look at unit by themselves. A lot of properties have beenembracing self-touring technology," John Helm, apartner of RET Ventures, tells GlobeSt.com. "Withsocial distancing, this has become a necessity. One of the ways nowthat people can tour a unit without being in violation of socialdistancing measures, is through self-touring."

Owners are quickly adopting this technology, which includessmart locks and mapping programs. "Today, we are seeing a lot ofproperties that are deploying smart lock and an iPad with apre-programed app for mapping and information, so the person knowswhere to go and what to look at," says Helm. "The resident, whenthey show up, can tour the building on their own without theleasing agent following them around."