When we are talking about getting your Virginia property ready to rent, we mean ensuring the property is well maintained, adheres to state law and that all appliances are in good working condition.
As a landlord, before you send out your rental ad or marketing photos, there are some essential steps that you need to take that will prepare your rental property. So, the team at Rent Easy has put together the following information to best advise you.
Get Curb Appeal
From our experience, making renovations to your curb is one of the best places to start when making your property renter ready. This creates a great first impression of your property and gets your tenants excited about what they will see inside.
Start with the landscaping. consider adding some grass or getting any trees and shrubs trimmed. Also, remove any debris that may harm the image of the property. You may also need to add exterior lighting to mark the entrance of the property.
Inspect the Property for Mold
As it is a mandate for all landlords to provide their tenants with a safe and habitable condition. It is important to frequently inspect your property for mold.
Mold tends to love areas with poor ventilation, dust, little exposure to sunlight, and a lot of moisture – such as a bathroom. The presence of moss could lead to a loss of rent later and higher repair costs.
Walk the Wall
“Walk the Wall” a common term used in property advertising and showcasing. It involves inspecting the interior walls of the property, checking on the condition of the paint and any other features, then noting what needs to be addressed.
After entering the front door, start on the left or right wall and follow the walls through the entire property, including the kitchen and bathrooms, till you make a complete circle, ending up back at the front door.
Here are some things you should look out for:
- The condition of the paint or wallpaper. Remember to check for any blemishes and scratches.
- Cracks in the walls, window, or door frames.
- Damage to blinds and curtains.
- Check whether the windows can lock perfectly.
- Ensure all switches and outlets work.
- Inspect every appliance (HVAC, heater, and kitchen appliances etc.) to ensure that they are in good working condition.
One you have inspected the property, prepare a comprehensive checklist with a detail of all property items that need your attention later. Taking photos can also help.
List Every Maintenance Issue
A new tenant will expect your property to be clean with every outlet and appliance in full working order. When you walked the wall, you would have noted down every issue you found.
So now you can consolidate this information, so you understand what needs to be repaired, replaced, or cleaned.
Repair What You Can
There are some landlords who have the skill to perform any repairs themselves. If you fit this description, you will need to make a list of the things you need and complete the repair in a timely manner.
Some landlords can’t perform these repairs themselves, which is nothing to be ashamed about. In this case, hire a qualified local professional or property management company.
Replace What You Can
Before renting out the space, ensure that you have checked and rechecked every appliance. Appliances and other items at the end of their lifespan may cause problems for new tenants. So, in this case the more prudent action would be to replace the items with new ones.
If an item or appliance is looking worse for wear, check its age. For example: if the refrigerator is approaching 20 years, it might be time to retire it.
Clean Everything
An essential part of getting a property renter ready is cleanliness. At all times, the property should be clean, free of debris and dust, and without any stains on the curtains, blinds, carpet, or hardwood floor.
Consider hiring a professional cleaning company to deep clean the property. A reputable company should be able to remove all the dust and grime from every crook and cranny of the property.
This will be particularly important after you have completed any repairs or replaced any appliances as these activities spread dust and dirt.
Market the Property
The final part of getting your property ready to rent is creating the perfect advertisement to lure in quality prospects.
Now your property is clean and repaired, take photos that highlight the key features of your property as well as your living spaces.
Additionally, write an eye-catching headline that gives a prospect the key information about your rental property (rent price, location, beds, baths etc.) and a detailed description that gives your prospects an idea of what it is like to live there.
Now you have this information, use up-date online and offline services to get your vacancy filled. If you have any problems with this, its best to contact a property management company.
Bottom Line
Getting your property rented out efficiently is one of the best ways to safeguard your investment. But to get your property ready to rent you must ensure it is pristine and inviting.
Make sure the curb looks great, the property is clean and unblemished with no sign of mold and any out-of-date appliance is either repaired or replaced.
We at Rent Easy are property management experts. Our experience and industry knowledge can help you find quality tenants, enjoy stable, long-term returns, and incur lower maintenance costs.
Contact us today and request a quote for our property management services.
