Upgrading a rental house does not need to be financially wasteful or taxing. There are different inexpensive or free means to take a so-so rental property and boost its appeal to prospective tenants. By adding just a few trouble-free touches, swapping out certain hardware or fixtures, and doing a little inexpensive resurfacing, you can make your single-family rental property one that quality tenants will be willing to rent. In truth, with just five effortless upgrades, you can unavoidably boost your Eastpointe property’s appeal.
Changing Hardware and Fixtures
Replacing small hardware items for instance doorknobs and light fixtures is at the top of the list among small upgrades that can have a huge impact. Over time, hardware and light fixtures can tarnish or look dated. When this develops, a rental home’s interior can negatively impact prospective renters. Updating old light fixtures in key rooms, attaching a ceiling fan in a bedroom, or including matching doorknobs, locks, and other hardware can engender visual appeal that is far superior to the costs. Hardware and light fixtures don’t need to be fancy or expensive; a simple fixture that looks clean and modern will regularly do the trick.
Touching Up the Paint
While repainting a rental home’s interior is one essential way to get that fresh, clean look tenants desire, it is possible to have a similar effect by doing small touch-ups. Contingent on the level of wear and tear, the full interior may not need a full paint job in-between every tenant. If that is the case in your rental property, painting an accent, the trim, or a few walls can offer the look of freshly painted walls without spending too much time or money.
Resurface the Countertops
The look of a rental home’s countertops can unavoidably impact the property’s overall appeal. Probably more than other features, a wonderful countertop can lend a kitchen or bathroom a custom look and an upgraded feel. Happily, installing granite or other expensive options is not necessary to secure this same result. There are various countertop resurfacing kits available that can provide your old countertops with an instant facelift without the designer price tag.
Don’t Forget the Details
Interior decorators take in that adding just a few small touches to a home can make a big difference. Eastpointe property managers can follow that example. Putting in new cabinet handles and drawer pulls to a bland kitchen can add beauty and function, swiftly upgrading otherwise tired old cabinets.
Updated and matching faceplates are other details that can make a home interior feel more put together. Cracked or mismatched faceplates can affect a room’s feel and visual appeal. You can make each room in your rental house way more lovely by completely replacing each faceplate with new, matching ones.
Moreover, take into consideration adding a handful of tech-friendly touches! For relatively little money, you can set up smart updates to your rental home that tenants will appreciate. For example, switch regular outlets in key areas to outlets incorporating USB ports. You can even turn a GFCI outlet into a charging hub. Or, look into getting a video doorbell, smart light bulbs or plugs, or a Wi-Fi-enabled garage door. The money you spend on these updates will add value to your property and make it simpler to attract quality tenants.
Landscape for Free
A rental home’s landscaping is a very important part of the property’s curb appeal and can even be one of the important reasons a tenant chooses your property over another. A clean, low-maintenance yard is excellent for rental homes, but tenants enjoy trees, flowers, and other beautifying elements. To add some low-cost color and green to your rental yard, go over your local utility or city website. Many cities give away free trees or other plants to property owners. Still, always remember to check the “Free Stuff” section of your local classifieds. In these ads, people, in general, advertise things they no longer need – for instance, shrubs and trees – to anyone receptive to come and get them. That way, you can upgrade your property’s landscaping for no higher cost than a little elbow grease and a shovel.
In Conclusion
Small upgrades can equal big returns in terms of standing out in the rental market. With just a little time and a small number of inexpensive purchases, you can upgrade your Eastpointe rental property and your ability to draw the kind of tenants you aspire to have.
Tired of doing it yourself? Why not give Real Property Management Metro Detroit a call? It doesn’t matter if you are the owner of 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 multiply rental income while bringing down expenses and inefficiencies. Contact us online or call us at 248-808-6550 today.
Originally published on January 17, 2020
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