Rehab tip of the day

Rehab tip of the day

Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes

Let’s start a list of issues with the property it self and how we fixed them:

1. Painted over wall paper - used a belt sander with 60 grit, then a skim coat mud, then normal paint prep.

2. Not enough matching doors - replace closet doors with bifold louvered doors, move other doors around.

3. Always paint before putting in new flooring, this saves covering the floor, and top down if more than one color.

4. Buy appliances from a used appliances store.

5. Change to a non key entrance system, maybe like a motel, this saves changing locks, and tenants making keys for all their buddies.

6. A security camera system outside can make you money by allowing you to charge for pets, prove someone was the party who did the damage, more people than on the lease. And you can list it as a feature.

7. Electric baseboard heat is a cheap way to replace an old furnace that feeds several units which you pay for.

8. Wainscot covers a lot of lower wall issues.

9. Acrylic tubs never rust.

10. Leak detector water shut offs can save a lot of damage that would not get reported.

11. New Plastic windows never need painted.

12. Remove old chimneys that leak, and repair roof, assuming they are used anymore.

13. Add coin op washer and dryer, it’s a feature and a money maker, first one I did returned my investment in less than a year.

14. Mini storage on same or close by property.

Please add all that you can here. Hopefully you learn on my dime, and I learn on yours.

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Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
5y

Ugly unframed bathroom sheet mirrors - Pick up enough trim to cover the border.  Notch trim around wall supports. Miter cut corners and attached trim to mirror with caulk. Paint.  Looks 10x times better

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    Duralux luxury vinyl plank flooring goes down left to right.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    You can pre wire motion lights, then slide the wire thru the wall from the outside. This is real handy when it’s 5 degrees outside. Then go back inside in the heat to make your connections.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    I found a retired electrician who did not want to “work” anymore, but could be hired as a consultant to tell me what to do and check my work. I can learn how to put in meter bases and multiple circuit boxes in my building and learn how to do it, for a $500 consultation fee plus parts. I text him questions. That makes it about $2500, vs $5000 to $9000 if hired done. And I’ll know if I am getting ripped off in the future.

  • Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 4 votes
    5y

    Great tips.  Are you doing the rehabbing yourself or do you have a team?

  • Indianapolis · Member since 2019 · 288 posts · 179 votes
    5y

    Great rent-ready rehab tips! Always a good reminder to look towards creative problem-solving to save yourself some dollars and headaches.
    Thanks for sharing!

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Mark Bellegia -mostly me, with subbing out certain jobs. Laid off back in March, so I currently have the time.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Alora Glaze-glad they help.

  • Member since 2020 · 339 posts · 356 votes
    5y

    @Steven Westlake

    Those were good ones

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Dennis Wayne-thanks

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    Slightly off topic- on top of Brandens tip of telling tenants your the building manager, get a phone number with a different area code.

    First this hints that you can not be there in five minutes.

    Second as your tenants phone numbers will be in your phone, any other numbers with that area code will likely be telemarketers. Which you can set to not answer and go right to voicemail.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    Bought a 1980’s brass and white ceiling fan at a garage sale for $5, painted the brass parts wrinkle finish black, now it looks vintage.

  • Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    Ugly unframed bathroom sheet mirrors - Pick up enough trim to cover the border.  Notch trim around wall supports. Miter cut corners and attached trim to mirror with caulk. Paint.  Looks 10x times better

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    @Terrell Garren - thanks

  • Rental Property Investor · Sumter, SC · Member since 2015 · 334 posts · 531 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Terrell Garren:

    Ugly unframed bathroom sheet mirrors - Pick up enough trim to cover the border.  Notch trim around wall supports. Miter cut corners and attached trim to mirror with caulk. Paint.  Looks 10x times better

     I've done this! Looks so much better than plain mirrors, and uses up scraps of door trim.

  • Rental Property Investor · Sumter, SC · Member since 2015 · 334 posts · 531 votes
    5y

    Also: those cheap, thin polystyrene shower walls make really good liners for the bottom of vanities and kitchen sink cabinets. Cut to fit, seal with a bead of silicone around the edges, and any spilled water/cleaning products won't sink into the wood of your cabinet.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y
  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    It took me a bit to figure out how to add fan pic for above

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    Dawn - thanks

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    2x10 used to cover mess left from old light fixtures.

  • Developer · Bellefontaine Ohio · Member since 2016 · 371 posts · 219 votes
    5y

    1x6 used to “sink” basic pine bi fold doors to make narrow hall feel wider. Even when open, now you can still walk by.
     Did anyone even notice the top white trim does not match the sides, I used a scrap piece. Rattle can paint before hanging means no tape or plastic, or brush marks.
    Wainscot covers a lot of issues which  are very hard to repair on textured walls.
     A 23 ga pin nailer used to hang stuff, is almost impossible to see.

  • Austin, TX · Member since 2017 · 75 posts · 39 votes
    5y

    @Steven Westlake

    Has anyone tried skim coating over popcorn ceiling with success?

  • Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2021 · 40 posts · 18 votes
    5y

    @Terrell Garren my wife has done that before. Much nicer

  • Rental Property Investor · Amityville, NY · Member since 2018 · 351 posts · 441 votes
    5y

    @Keaton M.

    I have not but that seems like a bad idea. If it's real "popcorn finish" you would use you would use ton of spackle most likely have drying issues and cracks and still need quite a few coats and sanding.

    There is a process for removal that makes it relatively easy to scrape off.

  • Real Estate Agent · Winston Salem, NC · Member since 2014 · 486 posts · 303 votes
    5y

    @Steven Westlake avoid carpet in rentals as much as possible.

  • Rental Property Investor · Tulsa, OK · Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 5 votes
    5y

    @Keaton M. I have. I definitely recommend slim coating over popcorn ceiling that is giving you any trouble getting off. It’s a cheap way to give you a smooth finish and it’s very forgiving. You can always sand it down to your liking. Good luck!

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