Living where all four seasons come in full force has both pros and cons. But when the bleak winter months are finally over and spring rolls around, you start to remember why it’s so worth it. Breathing the heady air of spring is especially lovely after the months of dormant under a blanket of snow. Raise your hand if you can feel it coming – the time for awakening, falling in love, and…spring-clean.
Springtime is best for renovations, experiments, and improvements. It’s a matter of fact that we’re more energized and motivated at this time of the year, so let’s take the most out of the opportunity. Ride the wave and make your rental property shine like a new penny. No matter if it’s vacant for now or you’re just planning to start renting out, have no doubts that your efforts will pay off with reduced vacancy rates, higher custom offers, and happier tenants.
In the name of saving your time, here are our recommendations on how to prepare your rental property for the loveliest season. No matter if you’re owning a duplex, a townhouse, or a condo, you’ll sure benefit from our time-and-proved advice. Don’t thank but enjoy.
Inspect Your Roof
As experience confirms, it’s your roof that faces an attack of winter. That’s why it’s so important to inspect it for missing or loose shingles and other possible damages. In case your roof seems to have hard times delivering its major purpose – consider extra roof protection. Not only will this safeguard your home against water sneaking, but it will also save your or your tenants’ lives in case of a hurricane.
Make Sure There Are No Leaks
There’s no better invitation for water than a leaky roof or damaged the foundation. And the cold truth is that these two problems tend to cause further complications. That’s why you should make repairs immediately if problems are detected. Bear in mind that some leaks are difficult to find, so pay special attention to crawl spaces, attics, and washing machine hoses.
Paint the Exterior
In case this advice is applicable to your type of property, take it seriously. As experience confirms, a fresh coat of paint or varnish can make the world of difference to the first impression your property makes. And keep in mind the rule of thumb: the amount of time between your next paint day depends greatly on the quality of paint you use. As they say, buy nice or buy twice.
Consider Replacing the Front Door
It’s the first thing your prospects see and touch when attending an open house. That’s why a quick polish, a fresh paint coat, or an entirely new front door will never hurt. No matter which option you choose, make sure the upgraded door matches the color of shutters, exterior trim, and anything else you believe it needs to match.
Clear Gutter and Drains
Needless to say that drains and gutters were made for carrying away unnecessary water. And this is the reason why they need to be clear of trash and leaves in order to function well. If allowing water inside is not a part of your plan, make sure your gutters and drains are well-cleaned. In nearly all cases, you’ll be able to clear them on your own. In case you’ve never done it before, there’re plenty of guides on the topic.
Mind the Landscape
If you’re living in a duplex or house surrounded by trees, consider trimming them. As experts say, it’s hardly possible to notice dead branches unless you take a close look. As experience confirms, it’s way easier to trim the trees before the leaves come out, so don’t practice procrastination. And don’t forget about your lawn. In nearly all cases, winter wreaks havoc on your grass. So when spring comes, repairs might be necessary, but doing them in time gives you a low-maintenance backyard that does not burn your costs.
Consider Repainting the Walls
If you’re serious about upgrading your rental property, take it one step further and repaint the interior walls in fresh colors. You can either follow interior design trends of the year or simply choose the colors you like, but don’t forget that a neutral/classic tones can help you rent out faster.
Test Air Conditioning and Make Repairs if Necessary
The winter is so long you might forget how insanely uncomfortable it could be to suffer from heat when the days are warm. To save yourself a trouble, test your air conditioning before the summer heat rolls around. It won’t take a lot of time to clean the filters and make sure the system is working properly.
Make Interior Spring Cleaning
If your rental property has been vacant for some time, it is necessary to conduct a thorough cleaning. You may tell yourself a comforting lie that an empty property doesn’t get dirty, but dust and cobweb speak louder than any words. Keep tidying up until your property is brimming with cleanliness and smells like spring flowers.
Make the Windows Shine
Since winter is famous for extensive snowfalls and rainfalls, chances are good that your windows are no longer as clean and shiny as they used to be. Cleaning all windows before an open house is a must for two reasons. First and foremost, any dirty details can ruin the impression of your property. Secondly, dirty windows are great at blocking the natural lighting, and there’s nothing good about that.
And Don’t Forget To Set the Mood
When spring is in the air, people are looking for a manifestation of freshness in everything around. And you, as a smart landlord, should turn this fact into a great opportunity. Bring flowers, take advantage of the daylight, consider lighting up aroma candles – in other words, put your best creative foot forward to make your property look as inviting and cozy as possible.
By completing these steps, you’ll be sure that your rental property is ready to face the new season. And you’ll definitely have fewer maintenance requests when your property is rented out. They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this saying gets especially true in the context of this article. Go an extra mile – double-check all risk points, fix all that needs to be fixed, get a fresh coat of paint, and all your efforts will pay off before you even know it.
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