After utilizing your property inspection tools, you may be faced with the task to prepare your client’s house for new tenants. This is an important responsibility if you were to attract renters and have them occupy the property in the shortest time possible. Fundamentally, the most important step in preparing investment properties is to ensure that the building is structurally sound. Any damage or defect that has been pointed out in the inspection report will have to be eliminated. The house must also be clean, well-maintained, and presentable on the surface in order for it to come off as a good investment.
Here are some tips that can help you prep your client’s home professionally and with ease.
Change the locks
Security is a major concern when it comes to renting homes. In order to rule out any possibility of a break-in, make sure to change the locks whenever new tenants move in. This is done as a precautionary measure as previous key duplicates may fall into the wrong hands. Garage doors and alarm passwords must also be changed for peace of mind. If you want to step it up a notch, you can urge the property owner to install surveillance systems and give exclusive access to tenants.
Keep vents clean
The quality of air in a home has to be kept at optimal levels; this is one of the most basic things that can affect the decision of renters who are checking out a place. If you have noticed excessive dust build-up on filters and HVAC ducts when you used your property inspection tools, make sure to get rid of this problem as soon as possible. If it can be done, replace reusable air filters with disposable ones since they are more sanitary and require less cleaning.
Replace broken hardware
Despite having a solid structure for the house, the presence of broken hardware may deter people from signing a lease agreement. By making sure that all pieces are intact and functional, the house will look more presentable. For example, broken door knobs and handles in the kitchen and restrooms will have to be replaced. Other types of faulty hardware would include cracked light switch plates, non-functioning bulbs, and loose door hinges.
Examine Appliances
Appliances are considered as valuables in any given home. In order to encourage tenants to rent the place, make sure that the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, stove, and oven are in working order. If any of these malfunction, have them repaired or try to replace them entirely with new units. The fridge, if available, must also be checked for its bulb and overall cooling capacity. All these appliances have to be cleaned since dirt and grime are obvious signs of poor property maintenance.
Those are some of the most important aspects of a vacated property that you will have to consider as a property manager. Your action to correct damages and liabilities, especially those you have determined through property inspection tools, is important to keep your clients satisfied with your service.