The Woodlands Texas Property Management Guide for Preparing Your Home for Rental

November 11, 2014 by Green

If you’ve decided to rent your residential property, you’ve made a good decision. Renting in Houston is a wise investment, and you stand to make a profit through the process. To maximize your investment as a landlord, you must properly prepare your home for rental.

Follow these tips to fix up your home before renting it:

Inspect the outside.
Inspect the outside
The very first step is determining what repairs and improvements your property needs. Begin with the outside of the building. Check the roof for leaks and any other flaws. Check the gutters; they should be thoroughly cleaned before you show the property to potential tenants. If your property has a driveway, look for cracks and other problems in the pavement. Make what repairs you can on your own, or hire someone to take care of bigger issues.

Check the plumbing.
Check the plumbing
If your property is old, it might have a few leaky faucets. Inspect all the sinks and showers to make sure everything is functioning properly. When you give a potential tenant a tour of your property, he or she will likely check all the faucets. Make sure they are functional with good water pressure.

If your shower head is old and gives a less than spectacular performance, replacement shower heads are an an easy way to impress your potential tenants. They’re also typically inexpensive. The internal plumbing of your property should be checked as well. Toilets, in particular, should be prioritized. Make sure everything is draining properly by cleaning the drains with a liquid drain cleaner.

Deep clean.
Your property should be spotless before you show it. Even an average home looks good after it’s been thoroughly cleaned, and you want your home to look above average. Don’t be afraid to hire professional cleaners if you don’t have the time to meticulously clean everything yourself. Don’t forget the inside of the fridge and stove. Clean all the windows, inside and outside. If your home has carpets, have a professional carpet cleaning done before you show the home.

This will make your carpets look, smell, and feel like new. If you’re not renting a furnished apartment, all furniture should be gone before you show your property. This makes your property appear bigger, newer, and cleaner. It also allows your new tenant to imagine what the property would look like with his or her belongings in it.

Replace broken appliances.
Replace broken appliances
If an appliance isn’t functioning well, it’s better to replace it before you show the property rather than a few months after the tenant moves in. This makes your property appear more impressive, and even raises the value, meaning the new appliance will pay for itself. It also makes it easier to find a tenant, as the property looks more inviting with new appliances.

Prioritize safety concerns.
Your home should be up to code according to your local safety laws. Property management companies in the Woodlands know all the local safety codes for residences, and can help you ensure your home is up to code. All outlets should be properly covered. Clean up any debris outside of the home and in the driveway. Any stairs in or outside the property should be fully functional and have no broken parts. Don’t show a home with exposed wiring or insulation, as these are safety hazards and won’t impress a potential tenant.

Exterminate if necessary.
If your property has fallen victim to any pest infestations in the recent past, it is imperative you eradicate the problem before showing the property.

Repaint.
A fresh coat of paint makes all the difference when it comes to the impression of your property. No matter how old your property is, repainting it will make it appear cleaner and newer. If a full repaint job isn’t necessary or feasible, be sure to inspect the walls for any needed spot repairs.

Do a final walk-through.
The last step before showing a home to prospective tenants is performing a practice walkthrough on your own. Pretend you’re a tenant looking to rent this property. What would you look for? Do any flaws stand out? These last fixes are typically quick, and make all the difference in you property’s impression to prospective tenants.

Tell your insurance company.
Your insurance company needs to know you won’t be living in your home and you will be renting the property. Your homeowner’s insurance policy needs to be switched to a landlord insurance policy. This will cover any damage your home may sustain from your tenants.

Choose a property management company.
The most important thing for a landlord, especially a new landlord, is choosing the right property management in Houston. By selecting an established, reputable property management company, you protect yourself legally.

Houston property management companies can customize a lease for your property, taking into account local landlord regulations. Maintenance, repairs, and collecting rent are all handled by the company, leaving you free to collect the money with minimal hassle. In cases where relations with the tenant go south and the tenant must be evicted, your property management company can help you get the money you’re owed.

Green Residential

Preparing a property for rent is hard work. However, it does pays off, particularly when you do it with help from a Houston property management company. Green Residential is an experienced company managing all kinds of residential properties. Contact Green Residential today to learn more about preparing your property for rent.

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