Many homeowners are opting to rent out their homes, especially since renting out your home on Airbnb has become so easy and short-term rentals are becoming more popular. Some do it as a side hustle, while others focus on buying land in the USA to turn their rental properties into a replacement for their regular job.
Regardless, if you’ve decided to use your home as a rental property, there are certain steps you need to take to make it renter-friendly. In this article, we’ll discuss the steps you should take to make your home ready for renters.
Ridding Your Home of Pests
The first step is ensuring the home is free of any pests or rodents. Not only are they unsightly, but they can also cause a lot of damage to your property and be dangerous for renters. A few common pests to look out for are bedbugs, cockroaches, ants, and mice.
Not only will your tenants or guests perceive an infested home as unhygienic, but it could also result in health problems for them. In some cases, health issues result in lawsuits for property owners or managers, so it’s important to rid your property of any pests before anyone moves in.
To check for these pests, you should look in all the usual hiding spots, such as behind furniture, around windows and doors, and any cracks or crevices. You should also check for signs of rodents like mouse droppings or chew marks on wood, wires, or food containers.
Before renting out your home, you should also thoroughly search for nests or colonies of any pests. It is best to call a professional pest control service to inspect and treat your home for any pests, as well as provide regular pest control services for the duration of your renters’ stay in case of an infestation.
Making Necessary Repairs
Once you’ve confirmed that there are no pests in your house, you should then proceed to make any necessary repairs and replacements. This includes anything from fixing broken windows or doors, replacing old appliances, and repairing electrical problems.
It is also important to ensure that all safety features like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in proper working order. These measures are essential for the comfort and safety of your renters.
Plumbing is another important factor to consider when making repairs. Check for any leaks or clogged drains, and make sure all faucets and showerheads are working properly. Bad plumbing can result in excessive water loss—an added cost to you—and mold growth, which could be dangerous for your renters. It’s also something that could be grounds for a lawsuit in some cases.
Updating Your Appliances and Fixtures
Another essential step you should take when making your home ready for renters is to update any appliances or fixtures that may be outdated. In addition to being an eyesore, old appliances can be a safety hazard and increase the risk of injury or malfunction.
Newer appliances are also more convenient, particularly if they’re smart and energy-efficient. Upgrading or replacing machines like your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and HVAC system can be an investment of a few thousand dollars, but if they enable you to charge a few hundred dollars (or more) extra per month, they’ll be well worth it a year or two later.
Adding Smart Home Features
A quick way to boost the rental value of your home and make it more attractive to potential renters is to add some smart home features. Smart home technology has improved greatly over the past few years and now includes a number of different products, such as automated thermostats, lighting systems, security systems, and even voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home.
Adding these items will not only give your home a more modern look, but they’ll also be more convenient and energy efficient for your renters. What’s more, they can help make your home stand out from other rental properties in the area.
Designing Your Home to Appeal to Renters
Aesthetics are critical when it comes to finding new tenants—no one wants to rent a home that feels dull and dated. It’s important that you make the effort to update your home’s interior design. You can start by giving the walls a fresh coat of paint or adding some stylish pieces of furniture and artwork. You should also consider changing out any outdated flooring or light fixtures.
Depending on the style you’re going for, the interior design process will look different. If you want to give your home a rustic feel, you may want to repaint the walls in a warm color and add some antique furniture. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a modern vibe, then bright decor and sleek furnishings are more appropriate. You can also make your home feel more inviting by adding lush houseplants or creating cozy reading nooks.
Taking Good Pictures and Marketing Your Home
If you want to attract as many renters as possible, you need to make sure that your home looks good in photos. Take the time to stage the most important rooms, such as the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
It would help if you also took pictures from different angles so prospective renters can get a full view of each room. Lastly, don’t forget to add captions or other descriptions to your photos that highlight the best features of your home. If you aren’t sure on where to place certain items or furniture pieces, hiring a professional staging company can help you navigate the process.
Once you have some great pictures, it’s time to market your home. If you plan to rent your space on Airbnb, they’ll handle most of the marketing for you. Even then, it could help to go a step further by creating a website for your rental and using other social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook to help spread the word. You can also consider creating a website specifically for your rental property (or properties) and advertising on social media, search engines, and other forms of digital marketing.
Endnote
By taking the necessary steps to make your home renter-friendly, you can increase its value and reduce the amount of effort needed when it comes to finding new tenants. If you’re looking to rent out your home, take the time to prepare it properly so you can get the most out of your investment.
Thanks to sell-myproperty.com for consulting on this post.
