When it comes to your Yorktown rental property, it pays to design interiors that will 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. By comparison, the more profitable rental properties have a certain look that lasts well into the future. Here are some ways to keep your rental not only relevant but ready for what comes next to future-proof your rental home.
Choose Classic Over Trendy
You might decide to attract today’s renters by studying how to incorporate the latest fads into your rental home’s interiors. 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. For a classic look, go for neutral colors and natural materials like wood, stone, and brick. Unlike trendy designs, classic design is timeless and, because it works well with many different styles, outlasts 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. Hold off from adding that accent wall or repainting your facade the color of the year, or else you will end up needing to repaint your rental property often to keep it 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 buy lighting fixtures. For many landlords, lighting in their rental homes is an afterthought. They look for the cheapest light fixtures and bulbs they can find, thinking that these will save them a few dollars. While it can be true in the short term, investing in quality lighting decreases utility costs and may even increase interest in your rental house, making it easier to rent and encourage renters to stay longer. Most renters prefer a home that isn’t dark or has inadequately lit rooms.
Your rental will brighten up once you replace old, outdated light fixtures with new, classic fixtures. Try replacing tacky fluorescent lighting with modern recessed lighting which is functional and versatile. At the very least, change those cheap light bulbs for long-lasting LED bulbs. Even this alone will improve energy efficiency and reduce how often you have to change light bulbs each year.
Add Smart Upgrades
Finally, consider that smart technologies are here to stay. Prepare your rental property for a future where these technologies will be the norm by beginning to add smart upgrades now. 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 decide to invest in all these smart home technologies at once or plan to install them over time. Study where your rental property is located and figure out your target renters so you can decide if it is a good idea to begin making some upgrades early on.
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 Dominion a call! Our Yorktown 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 757-395-4274.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
