Rental Property Upgrades

The current real estate market is a lucrative one for many rental property owners. Whether it’s short, weekly visits, or long-term tenants, having a second property that can be rented out is a smart move, especially considering how many people are looking for places in our area. So whether you’re ready to list on Airbnb or you’re interested in a long-term tenant, here are a few things you can do to make the most out of your investment property. 

Treat it like a house, not a home. Spending time and money creating the perfect aesthetic is a waste because the people who will be occupying the property likely won’t have the same taste that you do. Instead, focus on function while maintaining an inviting and warm atmosphere. Keep it simple and comfortable to appeal to a wider audience.

Upgrade kitchens and bathrooms. These rooms are key for rentals as they generally come “as-is” with fewer furniture and styling opportunities. With a kitchen, be sure that there is plenty of storage and that the appliances are clean and new. For the bathroom, make sure it’s absolutely mold-free and has good ventilation. Everyone loves a strong, hot shower but no one wants a bathroom riddled with mildew from the heat and humidity. Again, it’s important to remember that no one is going to treat a rental property with the same love and care as their own house, so plan for wear and tear.

Keep it clean. Walls and carpets can get used and abused pretty easily, but most of the time they can look new with a thorough clean. Before you go ripping, replacing, and repainting, see what you can do with a Magic Eraser and a carpet cleaner which can be rented from a home improvement store for around $30 per day. If your walls and carpet are damaged and you need to repaint or replace them, stick with simple, neutral colors that are easy to clean and will complement any style.

Fixture focus. One inexpensive upgrade is giving the fixtures a facelift. Cabinet knobs, door handles, blinds, and lighting can give a dated space a whole new look without spending a fortune. I can’t tell you how many homes and apartments I have been in with broken, plastic mini-blinds that make a whole room look dark and dingy. A simple replacement using wide faux wood blinds or a simple and easy-to-clean panel shade can really change a room on the cheap.

A picture is worth. Good quality photography can really make a listing shine. Professional images will get more people interested in your space, giving you a wider selection of better prospects to choose from. Attracting good people who will take care of your property is key and will save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run, so it’s important to go the extra mile to find them.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Spruce Up Your Rental Property with These Tips

Owning a rental property can be a lucrative investment opportunity both for short-term stays and long-term tenants, especially during COVID when people are looking to escape the city. If you own a second property that you’re thinking about renting or have an investment property that’s ready to be occupied, a few upgrades and minor renovations can make a big difference in how much you can get for your space.

The first thing I remind people who are renovating a property that they don’t live in is to try and treat it like a house instead of a home. Spending time and money creating the perfect aesthetic is a waste because the people who will be occupying the property likely won’t have the same taste that you do. Instead, focus on function while maintaining an inviting and warm atmosphere. Keep it simple and comfortable.

Kitchens and bathrooms are key for rentals as they generally come “as-is” with less furniture and styling opportunities as rooms that are used for relaxing. With a kitchen, be sure that there is plenty of storage and that the appliances are clean and new. Remember, people like functional spaces so if you’re spending some money on upgrades, a dishwasher will be a smarter investment than a fancy mantle or built-in wine storage. For the bathroom, make sure it’s absolutely mold-free and has good ventilation. Everyone loves a strong, hot shower but no one wants a bathroom riddled with mildew from the heat and humidity. Again, it’s important to remember that no one is going to treat a rental property with the same love and care as their own house so plan for wear and tear.

Walls and carpet are important, but most of the time they can look new with a thorough clean. Before you go ripping, replacing, and repainting, see what you can do with a Magic Eraser and a carpet cleaner which can be rented from a home improvement store for around $30 per day. If your walls and carpet are damaged and you need to repaint or replace them, stick with simple, neutral colors that are easy to clean and will complement any style.

Another inexpensive upgrade is giving the fixtures a facelift. Turning some attention to cabinet knobs, door handles, blinds, and lighting can give a dated space a whole new look without spending a fortune. I can’t tell you how many homes and apartments I have been in with broken, plastic mini-blinds that make a whole room look dark and dingy. A simple replacement using wide faux wood blinds or a simple and easy to clean panel can really change a room on the cheap.

Finally, don’t even think about listing your property without investing in some good quality photography. Professional images can make all the difference no matter if you’re putting your property up on a vacation rental site or if you’re looking for a longer-term tenant. Great pictures will get more people interested in your space, giving you a wider selection of better prospects to choose from. Attracting good people who will take care of your property is key and will save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run, so it’s important to go the extra mile to find them.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Tips To Make Your Rental Property More Enticing

Owning a rental property can be a lucrative investment opportunity both for short-term stays and long-term tenants. If you own a second home that you’re thinking about renting or have an investment property that’s ready to be occupied, a few upgrades and minor renovations can make a big difference in how much you can get for your space.

The first thing I remind people who are renovating a property that they don’t live in is to try and treat it like a house instead of a home. Spending time and money creating the perfect aesthetic is a waste because the people who will be occupying the property likely won’t have the same taste that you do. Instead, focus on function while maintaining an inviting and warm atmosphere. It’s more than likely that your property will be someone’s temporary home, so keep it simple and comfortable.

Kitchens and bathrooms are key for a rental as they generally come “as-is” with less furniture and styling opportunities as rooms that are used for relaxing and “living” in. With a kitchen, be sure that there is plenty of storage and that the appliances are clean and new. Remember, people like functional spaces so if you’re spending some money on upgrades, a dishwasher will be a smarter investment than a fancy mantle or built-in wine storage. For the bathroom, make sure it’s absolutely mold-free and has good ventilation. Everyone loves a strong, hot shower but no one wants a bathroom riddled with mildew from the heat and humidity. Again, it’s important to remember that no one is going to treat a rental property with the same love and care as their own house so plan for wear and tear.

Walls and carpet are important, but most of the time they can look new with a thorough clean. Before you go ripping, replacing and repainting, see what you can do with a Magic Eraser and a carpet cleaner which can be rented from a home improvement store for around $30 per day. If your walls and carpet are damaged and you need to repaint or replace them, stick with simple, neutral colors that are easy to clean and will complement any style.

Another inexpensive upgrade is giving the fixtures a facelift. Turning some attention to cabinet knobs, door handles, blinds, and lighting can give a dated space a whole new look without spending a fortune. I can’t tell you how many homes and apartments I have been in with broken, plastic mini-blinds that make a whole room look dark and dingy. A simple replacement using wide faux wood blinds or a simple and easy to clean panel can really change a room on the cheap.

Finally, don’t even think about listing your property without investing in some good quality photography. Professional images can make all the difference no matter if you’re putting your property up on a vacation rental site or if you’re looking for a longer term tenant. Great pictures will get more people interested in your space, giving you a wider selection of better prospects to choose from. Attracting good people who will take care of your property is key and will save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run, so it’s important to go the extra mile to find them.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.