Property Management Blog

First impression is everything, whether be it a first date, a job interview or in a landlord’s case, showing your rental property to a potential tenant. If your rental property is unattractive, the chances of renting it out is low. We all want to live in a nice place so don’t be puzzled why you still haven’t rented out your 70’s looking property.

There are many ways to upgrade, freshen up or revamp your property without breaking the bank. Here are 5 budget-friendly ways you can give your property a fresher look.

1. The outside should be a reflection of what’s inside. It doesn’t matter if you have a smart rental property full of techie gadgets if the outside of your property doesn’t reflect that. Dying plants, dead grass and 3 autumns-worth of dried leaves doesn’t scream “smart” or “cozy home.”
   
   To give your property a facelift, add a few potted plants and flowers. Pick perennials like veronica, sage and aster since they generally grow all year round and easy to manage.If maintaining a green lawn is too much for you, gravel is a cheap and chic accent for your lawn.
2. Color your walls. Color is everything. A fresh coat of paint can make even a decades-old property look fresh if done right. Here are some painting tips to help you:
   1. If your space is small, pick lighter colors. Light colors makes a space look bigger.
   2. Pick neutral colors. Don’t go for loud, vibrant colors. It may look appealing to you but it might be a deal-breaker if it doesn’t match your potential tenant’s furnitures. Pick colors that can easily match and complement other colors.
3. The small details matter. Light fixtures, cabinet handles, light switches. They may look irrelevant but in reality, these small details matter. People actually notice these details so you might want to consider updating them. Updating them is an easy and very cheap way to update the look of your rental property.
   
   For cabinet handles, try barn door handles as they can match both modern and classic furnitures and decors. It will also save you big bucks if you buy bulk. Not only is it cheap, it will also help give your rental property a cohesive look.
   
   Swap your shiny, brass light fixtures with new fixtures to give them an updated look. Painting your light switches can also change how a room looks. As with painting your walls, pick a color for your light switches that easily matches and complements the whole house.
4. A fresh kitchen makes a good impression. You don’t have to replace your kitchen cabinets, you just have to make them look new. A fresh coat of paint can do the trick.
   
   If you have a backsplash, you might want to consider tiling it. Since it’s only a small portion, tiling it won’t cost a fortune. There are also quality mosaic tiles that are budget-friendly. That will give your kitchen a modern look.
5. Upgrade the bathroom, too! Cleaning up and changing the look of your rental property’s bathroom is one way to clean up any traces of the previous tenant. It gives the place a fresher look and allows potential tenants to see the place and envision themselves living in it. One easy way to do this is by replacing shower heads and faucets. They may still function well but if they’re old and grungy, it may not sit well with new tenants. Not only will it make the bathroom look clean and new but it’s also a chance for you to inspect leaky showers and faucets.

These tips will not only give your rental property a fresher look but it will also help attract new tenants fast. Look inside your vacant rental properties and start thinking of the small things you can update without spending a fortune. You might be surprised with how potential tenants will respond to the place because of the small upgrades.