Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 5 votes
Hello BP,
Quick question hoping for some help. I have a house about to be cleaned up and quick rehabbed for the next tenants. It’s been 4-5 years on the carpet and a dog had it’s way in one room anyway. Found some cheaper carpet at a wholsale carpet location but I have a relationship to get cheap hardwood and can install myself.
The question is;
Does having hardwood in the bedrooms cause any issues getting or keeping tenants The GR wood flooring could be easier to clean and keep than carpet replacement every few years. There Is already hardwood In the living room and kItchen.
Thanks
Rental Property Investor · Edmond, OK · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
When I do do showings, I've had quite a few (mostly younger rental prospects) comment that they prefer to not have carpet. We have vinyl plank everywhere except kitchen and bath in one of our rentals and had a lot of positive comments on it.
If you can get cheap hardwood floors that look nice, I would go that route for sure.
Property Manager · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2018 · 179 posts · 92 votes
7y
When our owners ask this question, my first recommendation is to always replace the carpet with vinyl plank/laminate or hardwood. The lifespan of the carpet doesn't touch the lifespan of a laminate or hardwood. Obviously, the quality of flooring needs to be tailored to the quality of the house, but the point still remains. I also see more prospects that prefer hardwood
Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 814 posts · 466 votes
7y
I would keep carpet on master room and install tenant proof materials throughout the rest of the house. It doesn't need to be hardwood floors. Tile is a good material and there are options for the hardwood look, they area nice and appealing, but expensive. If you install hardwood floors or the like, and if you rent to families with children and pets, they will wear the heck out of it making it very unappealing to future tenants.
If you buy tiles, make sure to have at least 10% of the same tile in storage/available, because you WILL need to replace some in the future. My two cents is better to replace 10% than 90-100%.
Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 5 votes
7y
@Josue Vargas
Thank you everyone for your inputs I like the idea of carpet in the master bedroom. I have that laminate planks on a hookup and already replaced the main floor and kitchen with it. It looks great and doesn’t scratch. I guess it seemed excessive for every room. However if it won’t devalue the property for any new tenants, that works for me.
Flipper/Rehabber · Lodi, CA · Member since 2018 · 23 posts · 19 votes
7y
I would go LVP in the whole house! Better yet, Waterproof LVP! If you are a pet friendly landlord then the investment will pay for itself. We put in 1,200 ft of Shaw 700 touchstone carpet back in the summer of 2017 and are very unhappy with the results. We will NEVER carpet again!
Flipper/Rehabber · Lodi, CA · Member since 2018 · 23 posts · 19 votes
7y
@Josue Vargas Excellent advice on buying a extra 10 + %! Ive got pinched because I didn't do this and I've known countless others as well. Its worth a few extra bucks!
ugh don’t buy carpet ! You’ll be tearing it all out in a few years
I would do carpets on the master room. However is my preference in my won house., and I believe prospectors in my area want carpet on master bedroom. My properties have a mix of floor finishing. Not necessarily carpet on the master bedroom. Why not carpet on master room (I rent to Type A and B families). I just want to know why not doing carpet on the master room. Could you explain please?
I'd definitely go with porcelain plank flooring. This is more expensive flooring, but has just about the longest lifespans out there. Also it is water resistant (tenants may not care to clean up a water spill immediately if it is on hard wood, or leaks in general would ruin hard wood).
Porcelain plank also looks super nice and modern. Sometimes you can't even tell it isn't hardwood. Downside is the higher cost and that is feels cold to the touch. For rentals it is great because it is durable, water proof, easy to clean, and looks great.
I would go LVP in the whole house! Better yet, Waterproof LVP! If you are a pet friendly landlord then the investment will pay for itself. We put in 1,200 ft of Shaw 700 touchstone carpet back in the summer of 2017 and are very unhappy with the results. We will NEVER carpet again!
I use LVP in my current house that in living in, it works great. Carpet just gets so dirty so quickly. Or even regular laminate flooring.
Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 326 posts · 279 votes
7y
As @Cassi Justiz mentioned and many others here have mentioned so many renters that are coming to the market these days want more up to date flooring options and the best option is the vinyl plank.
If you're able to do the real hardwood at the same cost as LVP that is great for resell value otherwise stick with the LVP.
Walnut Creek, CA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
7y
what's your ownership time line....
I went carpet it was cheap with a bit of of lvp. To do LVP/LVT through out would of been about triple the cost.
Yes it'd probably last triple the time of carpet, however my ownership timeline isn't that long. I'll do the floors again before I sale it... and do them in whatever the trend is then. That way when it goes to market it'll be current not outdated.
I've also been tempted to wait till the market cools off and people are hungry for work to make updates. Figure this way could be cheaper than trying to do it when people get more work then they can handle and charge accordingly...
Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 655 posts · 293 votes
7y
Hardwood, bamboo, or laminate - depending on the market. Carpet is gross, will need cleaning, will show wear sooner, and I'm not sure carpet is seen as desirable in any market
I'd seriously consider any of the three above over carpet
Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 5 votes
7y
@Jake Waslaski
Thanks everyone for the Opinions, it seems that over all,LVP is going to be the recommendation. I have it in all the house but the bedrooms and going to just continue on to all LVP. I’ll consider carpet in the master. That being said I got my answer.
Thanks again BP
Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
I rarely use carpeting. I like vinyl/hardwoods. Keep a supply of extra material so small repairs can be done. In recent years carpeting has had much research on allergies and other objections. In today’s market hardwoods are preferred.
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
@Jake Waslaski I would go with the hardwood over carpet. We never get any feedback when showing rentals from people not liking hardwoods, but do sometimes get feedback from people who do not like carpet.
LVP in the whole house for us!! We have done that on our recent rehabs, and tenants LOVE it!!! I’ll be happy when I never have to deal with carpet ever again!!
Flipper/Rehabber · Delaware County, PA · Member since 2009 · 30 posts · 12 votes
7y
No carpet, anywhere! It is just not built to last. For any flooring, ask your local experts; I like to deal with a small, family owned flooring store, for the knowledge. Flat flooring is easy, whatever the material; it's the stairs and transitions that make decisions the trickiest, and each product has its proc/cons.
Also be careful about mixing hardwoods! It should be the same specie and color if possible, which is very hard to do. The color match should be first priority, in my opinion.
Although there are times where carpet is needed, or truly is the best option, and in that case, go for durability before the lowest price; will look best in the long run and you'll be happy you don't have to change it between every tenant. Berber is great. Maybe even commercial.