What House Repairs Are Really Necessary Before Renting?

So, you’ve decided to rent your old place to new people? Congrats on taking that big step! Now, lets see what big or small changes await to get the maximum of your house value.

By the way, right now the rental market is extremely good to the landlords/ladies. The US is in real shortage of landlords, while the rental prices continue to increase.

Hence, here are the very basic check-ups to take advantage of the situation!

Beige and White Rule

Painting the place goes without saying.

To make it look fresh, inviting, and more spacious, go for beige nuances, or even white. This also gives the house visitors the illusion of a clean canvas, i.e. they will have the opportunity to decorate it as they may please.

Safety First

You already have the smoke alarms, right? The downstairs windows should have locks. The front door, back door, and the garage door should operate perfectly. Don’t allow yourself that embarrassing situation of a garage door getting stuck or making a strange noise when it’s so easy to fix. For example, garage door repair Norfolk, VA has a 24/7 call service and guarantees fast, one-visit delivery.

A fire blanket and a fire extinguisher should have their place in the kitchen.

Quality Kitchen Appliances

Renting the old home does not mean it’s a storage for all the old appliances that kept breaking down. If you’re having issues, it’s wiser to invest in new ones.

You’ll be emergency call and hassle-free, and also be able to raise the price of the property immediately!

Bathroom and Beyond

Nothing puts a renter off than leaky taps and pipes, so ensure there are no such problems before you post the ad.

In case you’re going to replace tiles, beige ones are appealing as they appear clean for longer. Reseal around the bathtub and the sinks. Very simple, very efficient.

Proper Flooring

This is something that simply has to be done. Hardwood may be a bit pricey, but bamboo and laminate are very cost-effective and have their own advantages.

Bamboo will lure in environmentally-conscious millennials, and it is more durable. On the other hand, laminate is better if you allow pets, and it can come in a variety of designs. It’s also very easy to set.

Bright Light

Check all the light switches, and maybe install low-energy light bulbs if you haven’t already.

Handle the HVAC

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning must work like a charm. See if the thermostat is working properly as this is one of the first things future tenants will inspect.

Insulation Issues

Last but not least, you can’t expect to get a fair price unless your house is properly insulated. This is another basic question from tenants’ to-do list.

Isn’t All This a Bit Too Much?

That depends on how you look at it. It’s not impossible to rent a house without all of these in order. Nevertheless, don’t expect to rent it at the price you first had in mind, and get ready for late night calls because the washing machine isn’t working, or similar.

What is more, a house in good shape will definitely keep good tenants for longer, so just do what you have to do. It will definitely pay off, even more than you expect.