As a property owner with a residential investment property, your primary goal is to maximize your asset and get the highest return on your investment. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure your property is ‘Rent Ready’. This doesn’t have to be a daunting task and as a property manager, we’ve got a few tips that you can count on.
‘Rent Ready’ means the property has been cleaned, repaired, or remodeled and that it’s in rent-able condition for new tenants. The sooner your property is ‘Rent Ready’, the sooner you can start collecting rent, and the less money you will lose from vacancy. That’s a good thing!
Our Picks to Ensure Your Property Puts its Best Foot Forward:
# 1 Professional Top-Bottom Interior Cleaning
Totally worth it. It’s just better and easier to hire a pro to come in to clean and sanitize everything. Tenants expect their rental property to be clean for move-in. Pros get every area of your property clean and they are knowledgeable on the best germ management protocols related to COVID-19.
#2 Spruce up the Yard – Think Curb Appeal
You want the yard and outside of your home to start off looking great for photos/video for advertising and to attract new tenants. Cut the grass, trim the bushes, prune the trees, pull the weeds, fix broken sprinklers, replace dying plants and tidy up in general. Curb appeal = more $$$.
# 3 Clean the Carpets
No one wants to move into a home with dirty carpets! Professional cleaning is a must.
#4 Bright is Better
Replace outside lights if they are broken and wipe down the post and globe from dirt & debris. Blinds, window coverings and the like should be cleaned and function properly.
#5 Paint, Repair and Fix
Replace damaged or cracked tiles and grout, repair or replace any carpet that shows signs of damage, fix any holes in the walls and make sure all the appliances are in working order.
#6 Pest Control 
Best practice is to have a regular professional pest service in place for pro-active pest management for a better place to live and a disease free environment. Plus, no one likes surprise visits from unexpected company.
#7 Clean those Windows and Sliding Glass Doors 
Having windows and glass doors cleaned is well worth it. A good cleaning will not only let in more light but will also make your home seem brighter and larger. While you are at it, make sure all windows and doors are in working order.
#8 Repair and Replace Screens
On the topic of windows, don’t forget the screens. Holes in screens can allow pests into your rental property and make it look not cared for, not to mention being very uninviting. Repair and replace screens and make sure they are clean.
#9 Safety, Safety and Safety
Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in place and working with fresh batteries. You should have carbon monoxide detectors on each level if you have gas appliances, a fireplace, or an attached garage. Smoke detectors are required in all bedrooms and on each level of the home.
#10 Inspect Ceiling Fans
Make sure all fans operate properly and are dust-free (yes, tenants look 
at this). Consider replacing older ceiling fans and adding light kits.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, following these tips will help YOUR bottom line. As property managers, we are invested in making property management manageable and easy for you. Don’t want the headache of navigating all of this? Then, give us a call and leave it to us.www.pmisarasota.com
