Getting Your Rental House Ready for the Next Tenant

When you rent out your property, you should take your time to make sure it's in the best shape possible. Doing your part helps your guest feel more at home and improves their experience. Here are some helpful tips for preparing a house for your future guests!

Most people don't want to rent out a property unless they have to. They prefer to buy a house, fix it up and sell it. Then, they use the income to purchase another house that needs fixing up and they sell again.

But why not consider renting? Rental houses can be purchased as investments too! They offer an alternative way of earning continuous income to regular daily jobs.

Knowing all the steps of renting a house is important! These steps will help you get the most out of your investment. If you have the time and the right information, you can make your house more desirable for future guests. Add those tiny little details and your guests will feel more an more at home! The more satisfied they are, the less likely they'll be looking for other homes for their next trip. They will come right back!

Here are some tips on how to prepare your rental house for potential guest.

- Artwork, Pictures and Decorations

Do your walls really need to be bare? Maybe you think so, but a potential guest probably wouldn’t. You see, when a person is looking for a place to stay, they tend to picture themselves living in it. So, if your walls are bare, the future guests might not be able to imagine a comfy homely environment which might make them keep looking until they find a different place with cozier vibes

Instead, consider filling up your wall spaces with paintings, photographs, posters or even plants! Try to avoid overcrowding your space by filling all your walls thought! You need that empty negative space to balance the decoration out!

- Bedroom Setups

Your potential tenant may be used to sleeping in a bed that's just right for them. When you buy a rental house as an investment property, it's probably not as important for you to have a customized bedroom setup because you would not be living in it yourself. But sleeping conditions is a very important aspect in renting

Unless you have a particular need for a customized bedroom, consider leaving it as it is. Having an un-rented house with no bedspreads, bedcovers or other similar items may not appeal to potential tenants too much. On the other hand, having just a king-size bed will probably make them feel less at home and might even lead them to think that you want your property to be unoccupied.

- Carpet and Rug Quality

Look at the carpet in your rental house. Is it in good condition? Look specifically for stains, fraying, loose threads and other problems that may make a guest hesitant to rent your property. If there are any stains on the carpet or if it's worn, consider replacing it before you get your tenants in!

- Kitchen Spices and Garbage Disposal

Do you have expired spices in your cabinets? Or perhaps you've got old food scraps in your garbage disposal that might be a turn off for your guest. If so, get rid of them because they will make your property less appealing. These kind of unhygienic situations will cause your guests to leave bad reviews on your listing and this might drop your booking rates significantly!

- Tree Roots in the Yard

Imagine your potential tenant's surprise when they see unwanted roots growing over large parts of your yard or in between the cracks of your sidewalk. If that is the situation, consider having someone come out and pull them out or have your property landscaped before you get tenants!

- Wiring and Electrical Systems

This one is especially important for renters who may have pets because wiring that's not up to code can cause extensive damage if exposed to animals. (The National Electrical Code requires that wiring in attics be enclosed in a non-energized, labeled and secured junction box.) If you want to leave your home looking its best for prospective tenants, consider updating your wiring as well as replacing any frayed electrical cords.

- Windows and Doors

Do the glass panes in your front door have cracks? Perhaps the window screens are torn. If so, it might make prospective tenants nervous. Consider replacing them with brand new ones or have your windows cleaned before your guests arrive. The fresher the house looks, the better it will seem to potential renters!

Of course, you may not be able to do everything on this list by yourself. That's why you should consider hiring a professional property management service that can help you with many of these tasks while relieving you of any stress they may bring. In the long run, such a service will help you generate more money from your investment property and have happier guests!

Thank you for reading and see you on the next one!