Stockbridge rental properties are more cost-effective when their interiors are designed to stand the test of time. Trends are great in the short term, but keeping your rental house trendy will cost you a lot in terms of renovations. Instead, you can make your rental property profitable by giving it a look that will last well into the future. Here are tips to keep your rental looking not only relevant but ready for what comes next to future-proof your rental home.
Choose Classic Over Trendy
It can be tempting to please today’s renters by incorporating current fads into your rental home’s interiors or even exteriors. But to create a timeless look that will last, it’s a much better idea to stick to a simple, classic design. The classic design makes use of a simple, sophisticated style that is functional and, at the same time, adaptable. To achieve a classic look, you will want to choose neutral colors and natural materials like wood, stone, and brick. Unlike trendy designs, classic design is timeless as it complements a wide range of styles and themes more than short-lived design fads. It is one way to begin creating a future-proof property.
Keep Walls & Floors Neutral
Trendy colors come and go almost as quickly as most other fads. Before you add that accent wall or start repainting your property the color of the year, you might want to think about how often you will need to repaint to keep your rental property from looking dated. To achieve that timeless appeal, choose neutral shades for your rental home’s paint and flooring. Neutrals are ideal in a rental house because it makes it easier for the renter to customize the area with their own furnishings. Soft beiges, grays, and crisp white trim become accents in a room that the resident can design to feel like home.
Invest in Good Lighting
Another way to future-proof your rental property is to make sure you use quality lighting fixtures and bulbs. For many landlords, lighting in their rental homes is an afterthought. Hoping to save a few dollars, they opt to use the cheapest light fixtures and bulbs available. While it seems attractive in the short term, investing in good lighting lets you save on utility costs and, in some cases, could increase interest in your rental house, making it easier to rent and encouraging renters to stay even longer. Few renters want a home that has dark or inadequately lit rooms.
Your rental will brighten up once you replace old, outdated light fixtures with new, classic fixtures. When you can, replace fluorescent lighting with modern recessed lighting. If anything else, ditch those cheap light bulbs for long-lasting LED bulbs. This alone will make your unit more energy efficient and greatly reduce the number of times you need to change the light bulbs each year.
Add Smart Upgrades
Finally, unlike other fleeting trends, smart technologies are here to stay. Ready your rental property for a future where these technologies will be in demand by adding smart upgrades early on. A smart thermostat can help reduce utility costs and appeal to renters who like the convenience of being able to control it from their smartphones or tablets. Smart locks are also convenient and budget-friendly. They give your residents peace of mind whenever they are away from their homes.
You can choose to either add these smart home technologies over time or invest in them all at once. After considering where your rental property is located and what your target renters are looking for, it is a good idea to start on a few upgrades before you miss the opportunity to be ready for the future.
Would you like to learn more about strategies to make your rental home as profitable as it can be, year after year? Give Real Property Management Anchor a call! Our Stockbridge rental market experts can offer valuable tips and suggestions to maximize your investment property’s potential, as well as our highly-rated property management services. You can reach us online or call us at 770-506-1237.
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