While it may be a landlord’s market in today’s economy, this doesn’t mean a 100 percent guarantee for tenants. Unfortunately we, as landlord’s, have to put in some work in order to ensure a tenant (what has the world come to?). While the little things may seem tedious and you find yourself wondering, “why bother?”, trust me, tenants notice. You can watch all the HGTV you can handle, but making your space desirable comes down to two simple attributes;
CLEAN and INVITING.
Take the extra step when it comes to cleaning. This means dusting the blinds, cleaning the carpet, and yes, detailing bathrooms. If you can’t stomach it, higher a cleaner. Trust me, it is worth the extra investment. Tenants can see past a lot when searching for a home, but a nasty space is never acceptable. Before you tour, walk through your space, and ask yourself, “Would I live here?”.
Once you are sure that your space is clean enough to satisfy even the most judgemental tenant, it is time to move to the more complicated detail:inviting. You may wonder how in the world to satisfy such a vast array of potential clients, but it is really not all that complicated. Tenants don’t tour a house judging your interior design taste. They tour the home trying to imagine their own future niche. All you need to provide is the freedom to do so. While you may enjoy your lime green bathroom, all a tenant see’s is a space that will never live up to their ideal space. Go to your local paint or hardware store, spend the extra bucks, and paint that bathroom a neutral color that will allow your potential client to daydream straight into signing your contract. Clean out the clutter and leave only the basic home features(beds, couch, desk, pillows,etc.), Go to your local furniture store and take a walk-through. Return to your rental space, and ask yourself, “ What would I see at the store?”. Anything else should be removed and relocated. If you are trying to rent a space that is currently occupied, talk to your current tenants and work something out. Perhaps offer them a discount if they allow you to stage their home (with their assistance of course).
Your main goal is to appeal to a vast array of potential tenants. Choose neutral colors, make sure your space is clean, and provide just enough accessory items to allow your potential tenants to build of your design features. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to appeal to tenants. You simply, have to clean and keep an open mind. While you may love your design elements, your opinion is not the one that should be considered. You are trying to sell a space. Keep their opinions in mind and your space will be well on it’s way to a future, satisfied tenant.
