As a Stone Oak rental property owner, one of the ideal ways to secure that your real estate investments are profitable is to make them as low-maintenance as possible. There are several low cost and reliable options to build a low-maintenance rental property. If you feel that you are spending too much time and money on property maintenance, these suggestions may help.
The first action to owning a low-maintenance rental is to ensure that you select the best materials for your property. Low maintenance is not the same as low quality. Most quality materials are more durable and easier to keep clean than the cheaper, low-grade types. Flooring is the perfect example of this. For low-maintenance floors that will maintain their beauty for many years, experienced property owners often choose tile or vinyl. Tile and vinyl both work well in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and other high-traffic areas. And both are easy to keep clean.
Countertops are another spot where the right materials can make a big difference. To reach the best value that is easy to clean and won’t fade or peel over time, rental property owners often choose quality solid surface countertops for their kitchen and bathrooms. There are several low-cost kinds of solid surface countertops, offering a lot of colors and styles. You can also get the impression of more expensive granite without the price or burden that your tenants will damage the natural stone with harsh cleaners. For countertops and flooring, it’s advisable to opt for mid-grade materials that will offer durability and value.
Another great strategy to minimize maintenance in your rental’s interiors is to paint the walls with an good semi-gloss paint. Unlike flat paint, which can be tough to clean and may stain immediately, semi-gloss or even gloss paint is often best for heavy wear. It is recommended to use glossy paint in the kitchen to keep those walls stain-resistant. You may also consider including a backsplash behind appliances and counters. A backsplash is even easier to clean than a painted wall and will lower the amount of re-painting you’ll need to do between tenants.
When you’re setting up your renovations, keep in mind the low-maintenance lighting alternatives. Pendant lights and chandeliers may look good, yet, they often attract dust and pests over the years and are easily damaged. To lessen maintenance, choose a good quality, functional lighting that is mounted securely against the ceiling. It’s also a smart choice to utilize light fixtures that make it easy for your tenants to change light bulbs if required. Think about improving your plug sockets to provide plug-ins for mobile devices and other electronic appliances for an extra asset. This will not only bring additional tenants but can help avoid troubles such as blown fuses.
At last, probably the best approach to achieve and keep a low-maintenance rental is to have a comprehensive maintenance plan ready. Your maintenance plan must have both interior and exterior maintenance responsibilities, aside from a schedule of when each task should be accomplished. Doing routine maintenance every month is needed to preventing pricey emergency repairs and maintaining your rental as low-maintenance as possible.
Looking for assistance in making your rental investment more low-maintenance and profitable? Contact Real Property Management Alamo at 210-600-5672 to speak with a Stone Oak property manager today.
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