Which Floor is Easier to Rent?

Question

Neil Schoepp · Answer

@Luke O'Connor

Congrats is this your first purchase. House hacking is a great way to get into a property just be careful during tenant selection. You essentially will be living with this person.

If I were renting I would prefer the ground floor. Much easier for moving furniture in and out, groceries, emergencies, etc.

By you taking the upstairs it also broadens the tenant base you can draw from. The stairs may exclude some one with a limp, or an older couple that just don't do stairs anymore.  And if you end up renting to a family with a toddler you won't hear all the running and jumping kids just naturally do.

Colleen F. · Answer

My parents always rented out  the second floor  because we made noise and people don't like kids overhead.  My tenants like second floor unless they have knee problems.

Just you I would take the second floor. But who gets the backyard?

Ashley Pimsner · Answer

My experience says that you should be on top floor so that you are not bothered by the noise of your tenants walking/talking etc.

Another plus for leasing downstairs unit is that tenants usually prefer not to hike up stairs with furniture when moving in and hauling up groceries...it is also easier to let out the pets, if you allow them, in a ground floor unit.

Nancy Curran · Answer

I find the second floor easier to rent. Break ins and hearing people upstairs are issues for some.

Jassem A. · Answer

The first floor would probably rent easier unless the area is high crime

Brandon Ingegneri · Answer

I'd say that it really is an individual tenant's preference. My experience has seen more of a demand for first floor units.

Luke O'Connor · Answer

Awesome, I appreciate it @Neil Schoepp!

Neil Schoepp · Answer

@Luke O'Connor

It wouldn't get messy because you have a system.  That system is:

put the unit on the market word of mouth, craiglist, Facebook, post office bulletin board etc.

They call you and you do a quick interview Marcia Maynard did a podcast which is worth a listen to. She has a talent for handling sticky situations fairly but firmly. There is a link toward the bottom to her tenant screening questions. Listen to the podcast download and use the questions.

Now they come and see the place and fill out your application and pay the non refundable application fee. You explain that applications are processed on a first come first serve basis.

You do your background, credit and reference checks.

If they pass you move them in, if not you move onto your next application.

Of course there is a bit more to it but nothing complicated and very much in your capacity to handle.

You may want to  take a look at the ultimate guide to tenant screening

Which Floor is Easier to Rent?

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