Preparing your Orlando rental property for the market is going to help you find a great tenant quickly. It also impacts the amount of rent you can charge. Well-maintained homes that show well are going to earn more in rent than properties that were tossed onto the market without any preparation or care.
Make an effort when you’re getting your Orlando investment property rent-ready, and make sure it stands apart from the competition. If you take the time to get your property ready for the rental market, you’ll be able to earn more rent, reduce your vacancy time, and attract better tenants.
Pay Attention to Curb Appeal with Your Orlando Rental Property
When prospective tenants drive up or walk up to your property, they need to see a home that’s well-maintained, attractive, and inviting. If you’re renting out a single-family home, make sure the lawn has been cut, the bushes are trimmed, and yard has been cleaned up. There shouldn’t be any debris, bent window blinds, or cobwebs on the front door. Clean up the trash bins and sweep the front walkway. Make sure the driveway or walkway is free of twigs, branches, and personal items.
If you’re renting out a unit in a multi-family building, you want to be sure that the exterior is bright, clean, and easily identifiable. Take a look at the common areas and make sure they’re clean and inviting.
Clean and Fix Up the Interior of the Home
Hire professional cleaners to come in and thoroughly clean your Orlando rental property from top to bottom before you put it on the market. You want to have the floors waxed or steam-cleaned, depending on whether they’re carpet or hard surface. The kitchens and bathrooms should shine, and have your cleaners pay attention to every minor detail.
Dust the ceiling fans, wipe down the baseboards, and pull the appliances away from walls to sweep and dust behind them. When you provide a perfectly clean home, tenants will be eager to move in, and they’ll also know you have high standards of cleanliness when it’s time to return the property at the end of the lease term.
Everything in your property needs to work. Check every outlet, turn on every faucet and sink, and flush each toilet. Run the heat and the air conditioning, and turn on the appliances. Check every window and door to ensure the locks work. Change the air filter and any light bulbs that are burnt out. You don’t want to promise prospective tenants that something will be fixed before they move in. Everything needs to be functional and safe before you put the property on the market.
Cost-Effective Upgrades Improve ROI and Cash Flow
When you have a well-maintained home in a good neighborhood, you rarely have to renovate it.
However, when you’re preparing to put it on the rental market, it doesn’t hurt to make a few minor upgrades. Simple things like a fresh coat of paint or updated lighting can make a big difference to your return on investment. Even new hardware on the kitchen cabinets and drawers can make your property look modern and pretty. Consider making these small changes to attract the best local tenants.
When you’re leasing out your home, contact us at R. Russell Properties. We provide the best in Orlando property management.