Upgrading a rental house does not need to be extravagant or complicated. There are certain economical or even free practices to take a so-so rental property and boost its appeal to prospective tenants. By adding several very easy touches, swapping out many hardware or fixtures, and doing a little cost-effective resurfacing, you can make your single-family rental property one that quality tenants will be so happy to rent. In fact, with just five very easy upgrades, you can considerably boost your Belleview property’s appeal.
Changing Hardware and Fixtures
Replacing small hardware items similar to doorknobs and light fixtures is at the top of the list among small upgrades that can have a weighty impact. Over time, hardware and light fixtures can tarnish or look dated. When this happens, a rental home’s interior can negatively impact prospective renters. Easily updating old light fixtures in key rooms, placing a ceiling fan in a bedroom, or integrating matching doorknobs, locks, and other hardware can evoke visual appeal that is far greater than the costs. Hardware and light fixtures don’t need to be fancy or very expensive; a rather simple fixture that looks clean and modern will generally do the trick.
Touching Up the Paint
While repainting a rental home’s interior is one principal way to create that fresh, clean look tenants like, it is possible to reap a similar effect by doing small touch-ups. Based on the level of wear and tear, the entire interior may not need a full paint job in-between every tenant. If it is so in your rental property, painting an accent, the trim, or a few walls can bring about the look of freshly painted walls without spending too much time or money.
Resurface the Countertops
The present look of a rental home’s countertops can impact the property’s overall appeal. Likely more than other features, a great-looking countertop can lend a kitchen or bathroom a custom look and an upgraded feel. However, on the other hand, installing granite or other expensive options is not necessary to procure this same result. There are so many different countertop resurfacing kits available that can offer your old countertops an instant facelift without the designer price tag.
Don’t Forget the Details
Interior decorators know quite well that adding several small touches to a home can make a big difference. Belleview property managers can follow that example. Imparting new cabinet handles and drawer pulls to a bland kitchen can add beauty and function, easily upgrading otherwise tired old cabinets.
Updated and matching faceplates are also details that can successfully make a home interior feel more put together and complete. Cracked or mismatched faceplates can negatively affect a room’s feel and visual appeal. You can make each room in your rental house significantly better by straightforwardly replacing each faceplate with new, matching ones.
Also, at the same time, be mindful to add several tech-friendly touches! For relatively little money, you can transform smart updates to your rental home that tenants will like. For example, switch particular regular outlets in key areas to outlets that include USB ports. You can even turn a GFCI outlet into a charging hub. Or, think about getting a video doorbell, smart light bulbs or plugs, or a Wi-Fi-enabled garage door. The money you shell out on these updates will add value to your property and make it a whole lot easier to attract quality tenants.
Landscape for Free
A rental home’s landscaping is a weighty part of the property’s curb appeal and can even be one of the major reasons a tenant chooses your property over another. A clean, low-maintenance yard is favorable for rental homes, but tenants enjoy trees, flowers, and other beautifying elements. To add several low-cost colors and green to your rental yard, search through your local utility or city website. Particular cities give away free trees or other plants to property owners. At the same time, keep in mind to check the “Free Stuff” section of your local classifieds. In these ads, people naturally advertise things they no longer need – such as shrubs and trees – to anyone willing to come and get them. In this regard, you can upgrade your property’s landscaping for no higher cost than a bit of elbow grease and a shovel.
In Conclusion
Small upgrades can certainly equal big returns as concerns stand out in the rental market. With just a little time and a handful of economical purchases, you can upgrade your Belleview rental property and your ability to magnetize the kind of tenants you seek.
Tired of doing it yourself? Why not give Real Property Management Diversified a call? It doesn’t matter if you own one rental home or several; our goal is to protect and maximize your real estate investment. Backed by over 30 years of nationwide experience, our property managers are here to help rental homeowners raise rental income while diminishing expenses and inefficiencies. Contact us online or call us at 352-854-2221 today.
Originally published on January 17, 2020
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