It’s no secret that future tenants look for the nicest place they can find when viewing potential rental properties. So what exactly do they look for? Are you a current rental property owner/ investor wondering if your rental meets those standards or does it need some work? Here ae some tips and tricks to get more traffic to your property with a few small updates.

Choosing The Right Paint

Bright colors are fun and appeal to some but it fits very few décor styles that people may have. For this reason you should go with more neutral tones but not just white walls!

It’s important in a rental to keep color tones light. Light paint colors will reflect natural light in a space and make the room feel larger. White is a common go to but should be avoided as a wall color as it can make a space feel overly sanitized and will show more marks if things touch the walls. Better options include a light beige or soft grey.

Example: Valspar Signature Satin Seashell Gray Beige 4003-1a Interior Paint
 
There are different brands and finishes to paint. It’s important to pick the right finish for certain areas of the home that will have the best holdup. For example:

• Kitchen: High gloss or semi-gloss. Easy to wipe clean and durable.
• Living space: Satin or semi-gloss. A finish that can hold up in a high traffic area.
• Bedrooms: flat or matte. Lows traffic area so it won’t need to be as durable
• Bathrooms: High gloss for rooms where moisture is present

Painting a whole rental property can become costly. However investing in a quality paint upfront can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Choosing The Right Flooring

Hardwood flooring can be a beautiful choice for a home. Different tones and styles are available.  The cost of putting in wood floors can range anywhere from $3 to $7 a square foot. It’s best to stay away from anything exotic, patterned or whitewashed. Your best choice would be blonde or honey tones.

Vinyl Plank Flooring is an alternative to hardwood. It more cost efficient, offers durability, water resistance and comes in a wide variety of tones and colors. However similar to hardwood, be sure to avoid colors and tones that won’t appeal to a large group of people. The best choices would be grey tones or light tones, similar to the walls and hardwood choices.
Example:

Tile has become a less common choice in recent years (except in bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes). However it is an easy option for cleaning. When choosing which tile for the rental property stick to timeless styles. Professional installation is key for tile because unleveled flooring can result in tiles breaking and costly repairs. Tiles cost $5 to $10 a square foot.

Carpeting can be the cheapest option for your rental but you do not want to put carpet flooring through the whole property. Keeping carpet in low traffic areas is the best option since carpet tends to hold smells that can deter renters. Once again sticking to lighter tones. Greys and off whites are recommended for colors of carpet.   Refrain from tans, as this can make even new carpet look old and dirty. Carpet it can range between $1 and $20 per square foot.

Example: Antique silver life proof carpet

Cabinet/ Backsplash color
Although you can invest a considerable amount of money into cabinets for a rental, wood tones have become out of style and can date a home quickly. One of the most popular home trends in recent years is painted cabinets with shades of blue and green and even though this is a great way to bring expression into the home it’s not recommended for a rental. The best choice is white cabinets. Which is another reason to avoid white in the rest of the home. This will make the kitchen space feel fresh and clean. It’s also a good idea to add a backsplash for easy cleaning from cooking.  Fall back on neutral backsplash colors including light grey and white.

Lighting

Adding a stylish light fixture above the dinning space or kitchen island can also add value to your newly painted home. Make sure this fixture matches current appliances. Other great places for lighting updates are in the entry way and common areas. This can included updated semi-flush light in halls and fans in the living room/bedrooms.

Example: Clear Glass Globe Betty Pendant Light (placed above Kitchen Island or dining area)




Along with choosing the right design for your rental property it’s important to choose the right property management company to help you get the most out of your newly designed rental! Call All County Property Management Group today so we can tell you how our services can help!