Tips for Sprucing Up Rental Property
The first thing is to sweep out all traces of your former tenant. Remove anything left behind indoors and out. Sweep the floors, but also sweep out all cupboards and closets. Removing as much dust and dirt as possible with a powerful indoor/outdoor vacuum will freshen the house considerably.
Paint all rooms. A fresh coat of paint is essential. All walls should have an inexpensive flat coat of paint and for the woodwork you should choose enamel. Woodwork gets dirty more frequently and is often washed to clean away finger smudges. Choose a neutral color, but one that is currently in vogue. Make sure you give the front door a coat of paint on the outside as well. When a house is empty it doesn’t take long to paint a room, but this is your most effective tool in making the house appealing.
Inspect the fixtures. Replace any fixtures that do not work properly. Broken faucets can cause damage, so to protect your property, replace anything broken. If they are just unsightly, a dab of silver paint designed for fixtures will make them look much better. Light fixtures should match or be similar. Fans work. Make sure each fixture has a working bulb. Wash all windows. A sparkling clean window gives a cared for appearance.
Prune outdoor plants and replace or remove any that are unsightly. Put a tall planter or colorful pot on either side of the front door with some greenery. An inviting front entrance is essential and just has good karma. A simple wreath is a nice welcome.
Decorate. Staging a house for sale has proven to be very effective. You can do the same for your rental but on a simpler scale. A small clean painted table in the dining area looks very inviting with a simple cotton runner and a colorful bowl with a plant. New shower curtains or a fresh hand towel in the bathroom will create a homey feel. Nothing elaborate or fussy. Be willing to leave the staging items in the home with the new renter.
With these few steps you will be showing off your rental to the best advantage. This will give you an opportunity to be able to choose the tenant you prefer rather than take the first offer. You will be able to get the best monthly rate possible for your property.
Source: Personal experience
