Rental-Friendly Upgrades to Boost the Appeal of Rentals

If you own long-term rental properties, chances are that you know how competitive the market is and the need for rental-friendly upgrades from time to time. While renting out in the long term is clearly a lucrative investment, it requires more than simply purchasing a property and handling the keys to your tenants. 

If you want your property to be successful, you have to make it stand out in a crowded market and provide your tenants with an exceptional experience all the way around. Fortunately, the good news is that you can do that without draining your bank account. To help boost the appeal of your rental property investment so you can attract renters, consider these practical tips, rental-friendly upgrades.

Beef Up Security

One of the best things you can do for a healthy ROI with your investment property is to put in a reliable home security system. This will help ensure that your property and tenants stay safe at all times, providing both you and your residents with peace of mind. If you don’t live in the area in which your rental property is located, be sure to go with either a professional monitoring service or a smart security system that lets you monitor the property remotely; there are many top-notch, cost-effective rental-friendly upgrades like smart security systems on the market. 

Upgrade the Appliances 

New appliances can go a long way in boosting the appeal of your property. If your kitchen appliances (e.g., refrigerator, oven, stove, etc.) are out of date, replacing them with stainless steel appliances can enhance the aesthetics and raise the value of the home. Also, consider smart home devices that can make your tenants’ stay more comfortable, such as an automatic washing machine and a tumble dryer.

While many of these items are expensive, you can find great deals that make them affordable. And by visiting sites like Rakuten, you can often pile on the savings for home appliances through extra promotions and cashback opportunities. 

It is true that while appliances can boost the rental value of your property, they can also cause headaches and a large hole in your pocket when they break. Washing machines and tumble dryers are particularly sensitive due to excessive use or negligence, and repair costs are usually high. If you decide to provide your tenant with such facilities, make sure you’re buying a sturdy, good-quality appliance that is provided with a generous manufacturer warranty, so that you avoid purchasing a home warranty.

Freshen the Paint 

One of the most rental-friendly upgrades to spruce up a rental property is to paint the walls. You might be able to do all the painting yourself, meaning you would only need to pay for materials. Rental property management companies such as HomeVault Property Management recommend you opt for a light neutral color such as white, cream, or gray. It will likely satisfy the taste of most tenants, is cost-effective because it needs few, and sometimes even one coat.

Evaluate the Floors

Floors are a big deal when it comes to investment properties. Although carpet remains at the top of preferences of homeowners, it is less than ideal for rental properties, because it will always accumulate stains and odors and is extremely hard to keep clean and pleasant looking. Considering that about 68% of US households own pets, chances are that your tenant is also a pet owner, your carpet will thus deteriorate faster, and it’ll need complete replacement once in a few years.

If you want your property to stand out and you are willing to spend more, consider going for hardwoods. With hardwood floors, you get attractiveness, durability, and easy maintenance. If you already have hardwood floors and they just need a little TLC, consider learning how to refinish them.  Yet hardwood is not for every house or every budget. Besides the high acquisition price, it is also expensive to install, as you’ll need well qualified and equipped technicians to maneuver it. It may be a good idea to install hardwood flooring if your property is a higher-end rental. 

If you are in search of a cheaper but almost as sturdy and pleasant looking alternative to hardwood flooring, you can confidently choose laminate. Good quality laminate flooring imitates in great detail the intricate details on the surface of natural wood, ceramic tiles, and other traditional flooring materials but comes with a lower price tag and needs considerably less expertise to install. With a bit of training, you could install it yourself!

If your rental is in the lower-end segment, it is probably best to choose luxury vinyl flooring, which is highly durable, cost-effective, and resembles closely natural wood flooring. As is the case with laminate, you need minimal expertise to install it, and you can save a lot of money without overlooking the appearance and comfort of your rental.

Hire a Property Manager

Once you’ve boosted the appeal of your rental investment, you’re left with managing it. You need to make sure not only that the investment paid off but that it will need as little re-investment as possible for the time to come. But managing a property is no easy task, and when you own multiple homes, it can be downright overwhelming. You may easily overlook important maintenance work at your rental properties especially when tenants change, which can cost you longer renting times, and a loss of rental income. 

That’s why hiring a property manager can be so beneficial. A property manager can handle anything from maintenance and repairs to landscaping and will use their expertise to maintain the appeal of your property in the long run. The time, money, and stress you save long-term will far outweigh the costs you pay upfront.

Let’s conclude what you need to consider to make your rental property investment stand out among the competition and yield a healthy return:

• add a home security system

• update the appliances

• paint the walls

• get new floors or freshen up existing ones

• hire a property manager

Putting effort into rental-friendly upgrades for your property can pay off big by attracting more qualified tenants that will stay for longer and take care of your property as if it were their own! 

Need to know more details about managing your property? Drop us a line, we’re happy to help!

Credits: Image by Carl Gartman on Unsplash.