While it is true that many aspects of property management can be put on autopilot, property maintenance and renovations are not one of them. Notably, property maintenance and upkeep can cause a lot of stress and use many of your financial resources if you don’t research your options and plan accordingly. Fortunately, there are several easy and affordable ways to simultaneously increase your property value, make upgrades, and make a rental house look nice.
Below we will briefly discuss some easy and affordable options that landlords can use to make your rental house look nice, attract better quality tenants, and increase property revenue.
1. A New Paint Job
The first upgrade you should consider when upgrading any property is adding a fresh coat of paint throughout the property. Many investors fail to realize that a new paint job can return one of the highest Return on Investment (ROI) compared to other improvement projects.
Additionally, you can realize a higher ROI by buying paid colors in bulk. It is best to purchase quality paint and avoid poorly mixed paint at a discounted price. By purchasing quality paint, you can avoid the nightmare of trying to match paint colors when you need to do touch-up work in the building. Additionally, if you buy in bulk, you can probably negotiate some sort of discount with the merchant. As far as the color is concerned, it is best to paint the walls in a neutral color for the most versatile and modern feel.
2. Consider Installing Wood Flooring
Besides the fact that most tenants love wood flooring, choosing carpet for a rental property is never a good idea. Carpet is not durable and is easily stained. It gets dirty quickly and must be replaced and professionally cleaned often. This is especially true with cheaper carpet. Moreover, carpet is a magnet for household allergens, creating an uncomfortable living environment for tenants who suffer from allergies.
On the contrary, wood flooring is exceptionally durable and more affordable than most people realize. You can probably purchase wood flooring for the same or a lower cost with a little research than expensive carpets. The best part is that wood flooring rarely, if ever, needs to be replaced. Wood floor sare repaired easily when necessary. Overall, wood flooring is a considerable cost saving for property owners. Overall, wood flooring is beautiful and modern.
Pro Tip: Light-colored hardwood doesn’t show scratches as much as dark hardwood floors. Installing hardwood floors requires an investment of around $3,000 – $10,000 but is well worth it to make your rental house look nice.
3. Pressure Wash The Outside of Your Property
Pressure washing the outside of your property is a cheap but effective project to make a rental house look nice. What is the point of investing in interior renovations to still have the outside of your property look neglected? Pressure washing your property is a relatively easy project that you can do yourself, hire your handyman, or hire a company for less than $300.
4. Update Landscaping
Like pressure washing your property, landscaping is another inexpensive yet beneficial project that you can do to your rental property to enhance its appearance. Landscaping materials, for the most part, are affordable. Improving the landscaping of your property can cost as little as $100 and an afternoon. As such, landscaping should not be overlooked by property owners.
5. Replace Doors
Doors are an area of rental property that experience high wear and tear. Despite this fact, most property owners tend to ignore damage to the doors in their rental properties. Instead, they chose to put some touch-up paint over the door to cover up the damage. However, replacing doors can have a dramatic effect on the look of your rental property.
Fortunately, replacing doors is not all that expensive. With some guidance and help, you may be able to change your doors without changing the frame. Overall, replacing the doors throughout your property is an easy way to make a rental house look nice.
6. Replace Cabinet Doors
Instead of taking on the expensive project of replacing your kitchen cabinets entirely, you can save cost by replacing just the cabinet doors with wood doors and paint them. You can further enhance the look of your cabinet doors by installing high-quality hinges and knobs.
7. Add a Kitchen Backsplash
Kitchen backsplashes add substantial value to your rental properties, as long as you choose the right kind. You should select classic backsplashes and avoid trendy or unconventional colors to avoid dating your property. Overall, backsplashes are durable, easy to clean, and a significant upgrade to make your rental property look nice.
Overall, upgrading your property does not have to be expensive. The above list is just some popular and affordable ways to boost your rental property and increase monthly rental income without breaking the bank. Do you have other tips for affordable upgrades? Please share them in the comments!