InstaShow+ gives you the option to offer secure, biometric self-tour access to prospects—saving you both time and money.
Smart lock technology is becoming a standard part of modern property tours. As demand grows for flexible showing options, many teams want systems that support both guided and self-guided tours. The challenge is that not every smart lock integration is built to handle both securely. Understanding which smart lock integrations support both guided and self-guided tours requires looking beyond the hardware itself and focusing on how access is managed.
Before comparing integrations, it helps to clarify how these tour types work in practice. While both rely on controlled access, the operational needs are very different.
Guided tours are agent-led and scheduled in advance. The agent is present at the property and responsible for access, timing, and oversight. Smart locks used for guided tours typically allow remote unlock or scheduled access tied to the agent’s credentials.
These tours require coordination between the agent, the prospect, and the property schedule. Access control needs to be precise, but the agent is still on site to supervise entry.
Self-guided tours allow unaccompanied access, usually for vacant properties. Prospects verify their identity, receive temporary access, and tour the home on their own.
Since no agent is present, self-guided tours require stricter controls. Access must be time-bound, logged, and easy to revoke. Many smart locks support this scenario only when paired with the right software.
Not all smart locks are designed to handle both guided and self-guided workflows. The key difference is not the lock itself, but how access is issued, monitored, and revoked.
Below are the core requirements that allow a single lock integration to support both tour types effectively.
These capabilities ensure that access is limited to the right person, at the right time, for the right reason. Without them, teams often end up managing guided and self-guided tours with separate tools.
Smart locks used for property tours generally fall into a few broad categories. The category matters less than how well the lock integrates with tour management systems.
Many residential smart locks are designed for single-family rentals and small portfolios. They often support temporary codes or mobile unlock.
On their own, these locks may handle one tour type well but struggle to support both without added software controls.
Multifamily properties often use commercial-grade locks that support centralized control and detailed access logs. These locks are more likely to support complex workflows, but they still rely on integrations to manage tour-specific access.
The lock provides the security layer. The integration provides the operational logic.
Bluetooth locks rely on proximity and local device connections. Cloud-connected locks allow remote management and real-time updates.
For teams running both guided and self-guided tours, cloud-connected locks are generally easier to manage at scale. They allow access to be issued, monitored, and revoked without being physically on site.
Focusing on lock brands alone often leads to fragmented workflows. Even a high-quality lock cannot manage tour scheduling, identity checks, or access rules by itself.
Strong integrations connect the lock to the rest of the showing process. This is what makes dual tour support possible.
Smart locks control doors. They do not manage tours. This gap is where many teams run into problems.
A lock does not decide who should have access, when access should start, or how long it should last. It also does not coordinate agents, prospects, or property availability.
Without a centralized system, teams are forced to manage these steps manually.
Centralized tour management platforms handle the operational side of showing management. They connect scheduling, identity verification, and access orchestration into one workflow.
This allows teams to:
By acting as the control layer, centralized platforms make it possible to use one smart lock integration for multiple tour scenarios.
Supporting guided and self-guided tours from the same lock requires more than basic access control. The system managing the lock must understand who is accessing the property, why they are there, and how long access should last.
For guided tours, the platform can link access to the scheduled appointment and the assigned agent. The agent unlocks the door through the system at the time of the tour, and access ends when the showing is complete. This keeps entry tied to an active appointment instead of a standing code.
For self-guided tours, the same lock can issue time-limited credentials only after identity verification is complete. Access is restricted to a defined window and automatically expires once the tour ends. Every unlock is logged, and access can be revoked immediately if plans change or a concern arises.
Selecting the right approach means evaluating how the lock and platform work together. The goal is to avoid point solutions that only solve part of the problem.
Before committing to a smart lock or showing platform, teams should ask vendors specific questions about how access is managed across different tour types:
These questions help teams move beyond lock features and evaluate whether an integration can support secure, scalable tour workflows as showing volume and complexity increase.
Tour workflows often become more complex over time. What works for a small portfolio may not scale across multiple markets or property types.
Choosing integrations that support centralized control helps future-proof operations and reduce the need for constant tool changes.
Using separate systems for scheduling, access, and verification increases risk and manual work. Integrated solutions reduce handoffs and improve consistency across tours.
The real question is not just which smart lock to use, but which integration strategy supports both guided and self-guided tours securely. Smart locks are a critical piece of the puzzle, but they are only effective when paired with centralized tour management.
By focusing on integration quality, access controls, and scalable workflows, landlords and agents can support flexible tour options without compromising security.
If you want to see how guided and self-guided tours can be managed through one secure, centralized platform, schedule a demo with InstaShow+. You’ll see how smart lock integrations, access controls, and tour workflows come together to support safer, more efficient property showings at scale.
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