The first question we get once we have a new client who is putting their home on the rental market is "What do I need to do to get ready for a tenant?". Well, putting your home up for rent is almost the same as putting it up for sale, except for one fundamental difference, you still own the home! What we mean by this, is that the problem of the leaky sink, the door that doesn't stay shut, or the toilet that has never flushed right does not go away once you have a signed lease. While it would make our job much easier if everything in your house was updated prior to going on the market, we know that this is not financially realistic. We may be getting ahead of ourselves here though...Without Further ado, the top 3 things you can do to get your home rented and ensure you have happy tenants:
Tip #1 - Curb Appeal, Curb Appeal, Curb Appeal! - A simple concept but often overlooked. A prospective tenant will often make up their mind, even before entering the home. To help with their first impression you must increase the curb appeal. This includes, at a minimum, making sure the yard is presentable and free of any debris, the flower beds are weeded, and the gutters are cleaned. To take it a step further paint any exposed concrete walkways. Recently, a survey was conducted by the National Association of Realtors to list the top renovations that increase the value of the home in a resale based a percentage of the cost. The #1 value renovation was not updating the kitchen or master bath but replacing the front door with a brand new door. If you can not afford to do this (new doors are between $3-$5K), then a fresh coat of paint is the next best thing. Finally, if the locks and handles are old, replace them.
Tip #2 - De-clutter and Clean - Since you already have your move-out date set, get a jump on the move by getting rid of the things you don't want anymore, by taking a few trips to your Salvation Army or Landfill. Start packing things that dont necessarily have a home and storing them in the basement or attic. Once this is complete, clean and then clean some more. Your house must be "Hotel Room Clean". 9 times out of 10 this will require hiring a professional cleaning company and making sure they get into every crack and crevice of your home, including behind appliances, toilets, baseboards, inside cabinets, etc. Most of the detail work can be done once you move out. Finally, unless the carpets are brand new, get them professionally cleaned. This is a requirement written in all of our leases and we need to set a good precedent. A clean home is one tenants will want to move into, and sets a good example of how the home needs to be maintained.
Tip #3 - Fix it! - We alluded to the leaky sink and running toilet earlier. Simply put, these problems don't go away and actually will get worse once a tenant moves in. Anything you neglect as a homeowner, will also be neglected by a tenant. Moreover, these can potentially cause damage to the home and be more expensive in the long-run if they go unaddressed. Before you move out take the time to fix the things you can, and get in touch with us to find someone to address the items you can't. Make an allowance for initial repairs of around $500-$750 to address items that will require attention. The most common offenders are faulty door locks, leaky valves, running toilets, toilet exhaust fans, wobbly fans, leaky faucets, non-working drain stoppers, misaligned doors, and window leaks.
