To cover hardwood floors or not in rental house

[KENDRA J.]

We are in the process of doing a turnover at one of our rental houses. Carpet is very worn and stained and will be coming out. We pulled back the carpet and the original wood floors (house was built in 62) underneath look ok but will need to be refinished.  We are considering refinishing the floors instead of putting carpet back down. 

Wondering if it is the right thing to get these floors refinished instead of putting carpet back down? I don't have much experience with hardwood floors but have heard they scratch easily?  We will not  be allowing pets in this property.

Any advice would be helpful

[Jean Bolger]

It may depend on your price point. Higher income renters will want hardwood floors, it will be a good selling point for the unit and will pay off over time. But, my property manager tells me that in his experience lower income renters prefer carpet, especially if it's new. That was a surprise to me, but he's been in the biz a long time. Getting the place recarpeted is also faster and less hassle than refinishing (which is a multi day process) so if you're in a hurry that might make a difference. But a good refinish will last longer than carpet, or probably a couple carpets. The finish doesn't scratch unless you drag stuff over it, but it does wear thin in trafficked areas and need to be redone eventually