Top Features Tenants Look For In A Rental Property

Whether you’re purchasing your first rental property or your 10th, you want to ensure the property attracts tenants. In addition to location and accessibility to highways and amenities, certain interior features will help steer tenants toward your Greater Austin area rental property.

Let’s dive into a few of the top features tenants look for in a rental property.

Open Floor Plan

One of the top features homeowners look for when purchasing a home is an open floor plan, and tenants are no different. Tenants want to be able to have a place to entertain, and it allows them to be more flexible with their furniture and decor. Many people are still working from home, so having an open space to add an office area is helpful.

Upgrades

When you hear upgrades, you probably think of dollar signs, right? If you have the funds to update everything, the more, the merrier! However, a few upgrades can go a long way. Cosmetic updates like new flooring and fresh paint are huge for tenants. If you want to take it a step further, tenants also look for bathroom and kitchen updates. If you have an older property, consider updating mechanical items like plumbing, HVAC systems, and wiring to save yourself some time and money down the road. 

Included & Updated Appliances

Having appliances included in your rental property means less money your tenants will have to spend on them if they don’t already have them. Tenants will be impressed to see appliances included, especially if they are nicely updated. If you already have appliances and they are dated, consider updating them. In addition, having an on-site washer and dryer is becoming more common among rental properties. Being able to do your laundry at home instead of going to the local laundromat will save your tenants time and money.

Storage Space

Tenants always appreciate having extra space to store their items. Nothing is worse than putting things in the corner of your living room or bedroom. Not only does it look messy, but it takes up space that could be used for entertaining or additional decor or furniture. Make sure your rental property has a basement, attic, or lots of closets for storage.

Make sure to keep these features in mind when you purchase your next Greater Austin area rental property. It will go a long way for tenants! If you have any questions or need recommendations, reach out to us! We are always here to help.

Maximize Your Profit With These Rental Property Upgrades

Landlords are always thinking about upgrades they can make to their rental properties that will increase their rental income and make their lives easier in the long run. But which upgrades are worth your time and money? Let’s look at four upgrades that will keep your tenants happy and increase your rental income and property value.

Upgrade Flooring

Replacing the carpet with hardwood flooring will increase your value and save you time. Carpet can stain and tear easily, making it more prone to need replacing. Hardwood flooring is easier to clean and more long-lasting. Installing hardwood flooring can be expensive up front, but it will save you time and money in the long run.

Fresh Paint

Painting rooms in your rental property can make a huge difference and make your rental property more appealing. Neutral colors like gray or beige with white trim go with all kinds of decor and are colors that tenants tend to gravitate towards. 

Update Kitchen & Bathrooms

The two rooms that tenants like to see updated are the kitchen and bathrooms. This can get expensive, but luckily, you don’t have to update everything to make a good impression. Small changes in the bathroom, like updating the toilets, vanity, or sink, or kitchen updates, like cabinetry or countertops, are all you need to give these rooms a new look.

Increase Energy Efficiency

Tenants will appreciate energy efficiency items like Energy-Star certified appliances or new windows as they will help lower their utility bills. Replacing old appliances will save you money on maintenance issues in the future. New windows are more aesthetically pleasing than old ones, and cold drafts from the old ones can cause higher utility bills.

As you can see, there are a lot of different upgrades that can benefit you and your tenants. If you have any questions or need recommendations, reach out to us! We are always here to help.

How To Warm Up Your Bathroom For Winter

Texas is in for some frigid air and cold temperatures this winter, and nothing is worse than stepping out of the warm shower onto cold tile floors in your bathroom. Luckily, we have six easy tips to warm up your bathroom this winter!

 

Seal Your Windows

Cold air can get inside even through the smallest of gaps. So make sure to check around the glass and frames to feel for drafts and caulk the edges if needed. In addition, keep the blinds up on days when the sun is shining. The sunlight will raise the temperature in the bathroom slightly and help with any cold air.

 

Add Warm Decor And Paint

Paint isn’t going to help you feel physically warmer, but painting and decorating with warmer tones can help give the room a warmer feel. Bold, warm colors like red, orange, or yellow or cozier options like taupe and creams are great options.

 

Update Your Showerheads

Shower heads are usually only replaced if they break or stop working, but consider this an opportunity to update them. Many water-efficient showerheads use less hot water than older models, meaning you can take longer showers and conserve water. In addition, the longer shower will make the bathroom warmer when you step out.

 

Change Your Lightbulbs

Heated light bulbs may not make a huge difference, but they will help, especially in small areas like bathrooms. Most heated light bulbs are energy efficient, which is different from traditional light bulbs, and they provide light and heat in one!

 

Install A Heated Towel Rack

Pretend you’re at the spa all year long and have a heated towel rack installed. Most heated towel racks are electric, but some can be connected to your hot water system. Depending on which type you decide on, you may need a plumber or electrician to install it.

 

Add Heated Floors

If you want to get fancy, you can add heated floors to your bathroom. Not only will they keep your feet warm, but they will radiate heat throughout the entire bathroom and help dry up wet floors faster. 

 

Incorporating a few or all of these tips will help bring some warmth into your bathroom this winter. If you have any questions or need recommendations, reach out to us! We are always here to help.