How nice to make low-income rentals look?

Question

How far do you go and what is the minimum you do to make them look nice and welcoming without spending unnecessarily?

Also, I always seem to find ones with fake wood paneling, in this market is it worth having them sanded primed and painted by someone? (I cannot do it myself) They are not bad just dark and kind of depressing but that's my perspective, not sure if the tenants care or not or if I should worry about it even if they would like the walls a light color.

Jon Holdman · Answer

Try looking at other rentals in your area. At the least drive by and peek in the windows of empty "for rent" properties. If you can, play tenant for a day and have a look at some. If you get out and about on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you might be able to get a look inside without causing someone to have to make an effort to show them to you.

You could also try looking at open houses and for sale properties in the same area. If you're looks as good as those, you've probably gone too far.

You just want to be the best rental deal in your area.

You could also try looking at open houses and for sale properties in the same area.  If you're looks as good as those, you've probably gone too far.

You just want to be the best rental deal in your area.

Account Closed · Answer

Craigslist will have photos, so you can get an idea of what interiors look like in your price band.

Extra cleaning is your cheapest upgrade and the one that is best received.

Clean paint is fairly cheap and it really makes a place look better.

I have a couple of houses with wood paneling (the fake kind) and it doesn't seem to be a problem. If paneling is dark, install white mini blinds and show with the lights on.

You can put in a couple of low cost luxuries that will make the place stand out. I like to do a small pad of extra nice floor tile at the entry. 12-15 tiles isn't much expense, it looks fancy, and it protects the carpet from rain and mud. Just use a non slippery surface.

Tile behind the stove makes clean-up easier for you at move out. Put a fancy border on the top edge.

A garage door opener costs a couple hundred bucks and it has a big wow factor. I've never heard of a tenant stealing one- although anything is possible with tenants.

Washer dryer hook-ups are a good sales point.

It seems strange to me, but a cute sink in the bathroom gets a rave reaction.  Some of the upgrade sinks don't cost all that much.

In my own house, there is a sink with painted flowers and it always gets a comment. In one rental, I replaced a sink with one that had a fancy border on it, and that gets comments. I think that sink cost about $60.

But overall, your best investment is in cleaning.

Richard Warren · Answer

I echo what Jon said. What I do is make sure that they are clean, painted if needed, and that all the systems are in proper working order (heat, plumbing , electric). I look for anything that may be a maintenance issue in the near future. People in low-income tend to have fairly low expectations.

:cool:

Mark N.A · Answer

Good question, L T.

Low rent is a different animal and they generally don't, like Jon posts, have 'open houses' (ha ha), nor can you 'play tenant for a day' (ha ha).  And don't waste a RE broker's time for a showing, either.

Richard is right on.  Make it the best rental you can FOR THE AREA and you will attract tenants.

Bryan Snyder · Answer

I have found that a big improvement can be had if you have the time and are willing in doing the yard maintenance yourself. I edge the sidewalks and driveway, weed eat, trim hedges, mulch where appropriate.

Hired lawn care never does as good a job as myself and it costs me just a little time. I take pride in how it looks when done. and it really stands out.

I also use that as an excuse to keep a weekly eye on the property It seems people are less likely to try to get away with stuff when they know they have an interested party watching things.

Larry T. · Answer

I meant to add that I am asking this in terms of the new economic realities...i.e. if we fix up too much and they keep sneaking people in that mess up the efforts to make it look nice, it can be so discouraging

How nice to make low-income rentals look?

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