As a South Meadows rental property owner, one of the best things you can do to ensure your real estate investments are profitable is to make them as low-maintenance as possible. There are many low cost and effective ways to create a low-maintenance rental property. If you find that you are spending too much time and money on property maintenance, these tactics may help.
The primary move to owning a low-maintenance rental is to confirm that you choose the right materials for your property. Low maintenance is not the same as low quality. Several quality materials are more durable and easier to keep clean than the cheaper, low-grade kind. Flooring is one area where this is particularly true. For low-maintenance floors that will keep their interest for many years, savvy property owners often choose tile or vinyl. Tile and vinyl both work well in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and other high-traffic areas. And both are simple to keep clean.
Countertops are another sector where the right materials can make a big difference. To get the best value that is easy to clean and won’t fade or peel over time, rental property owners often choose quality solid surface countertops for their kitchen and bathrooms. There are many affordable varieties of solid surface countertops, offering a huge range of colors and styles. You can even get the look of more expensive granite without the price or worry that your tenants will damage the natural stone with harsh cleaners. For countertops and flooring, it’s best to aim for mid-grade materials that will offer durability and value.
A different great strategy to minimize maintenance in your rental’s interiors is to paint the walls with a good quality semi-gloss paint. Unlike flat paint, which can be difficult to clean and may stain easily, semi-gloss or even gloss paint tends to hold up better to heavy wear. Examine using glossy paint in the kitchen to make those walls stain-resistant. You may even consider adding a backsplash behind appliances and counters. A backsplash is even easier to clean than a painted wall and will decrease the amount of re-painting you’ll need to do between tenants.
As you’re preparing your renovations, don’t forget about low-maintenance lighting choices. Pendant lights and chandeliers may look good, but they tend to amass dust and bugs over time and are easily damaged. To reduce maintenance, opt instead for good quality, functional lighting that is mounted securely against the ceiling. It’s also a useful idea to choose light fixtures that make it easy for your tenants to change light bulbs when needed. Consider upgrading your electrical outlets to include plug-ins for cell phones and other electronic devices for an added selling point. This will not only attract more tenants but can help prevent problems like blown fuses.
Finally, one of the best ways to create and own a low-maintenance rental is to have a comprehensive maintenance plan in place. Your maintenance plan should include both interior and exterior maintenance tasks, as well as a schedule of when each task should be completed.
Carrying out routine maintenance every month is essential to preventing expensive emergency repairs and keeping your rental as low-maintenance as possible.
Looking for assistance in making your rental investment more low-maintenance and profitable? Contact Real Property Management Corazon at 775-826-1414 to speak with a South Meadows property manager today.
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