Five Simple Steps to a Rent Ready Home
Many property managers and landlords believe that a quick sweep through the home prepares it for a new resident, but this is not enough as they are missing some crucial steps. Here are five simple steps to ensure that your home is in tip-top shape and ready for a new occupant.
- Step 1: Re-key the Locks
Yes, you collected the keys from the resident, but did they make spares? All outside locking doors should be rekeyed between each resident. Additionally, rotate the codes on any garage doors, access gates, exterior property gates, and mailboxes. - Step 2: Maintenance Assessment
Send a professional through to assess any items that may need repair. They should evaluate all accessible pipes and electrical functionality, light bulbs and fixtures, garbage disposals, cabinets, windows and screens, window treatments, heating and cooling devices, doors, etc. This should also include replacing furnace filters and batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The more detailed evaluation, the better! - Step 3: Major Upgrades or Repairs
More costly repairs are tricky to complete with a resident in the home. Assess the condition of all flooring materials, paint, countertops, bathtub surrounds, major appliances, roofs, gutters, and chimneys/fireplaces. Are the bathrooms or kitchens outdated and in need of remodeling? Now would be the time to make those changes and evaluate what increase in rent you could obtain for upgrades. - Step 4: Exterior Clean Up
Don’t just look inside, look outside, too! Haul any debris from the yard, trim the trees, prune the bushes, and cut the grass. Maybe it’s time to invest in updating your curb appeal! - Step 5: Professional Cleaning
Even the best residents don’t often clean well enough. Hire a professional cleaning service for the job and a truck mounted steam clean service for the carpets. It makes all the difference in how the home shows and how quickly it rents. Please visit our Do-It-Yourself Landlord Center for more tips.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
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