As a Madison rental property owner, one of the best ways you can keep your properties profitable is to make them as low-maintenance as possible. Reducing your maintenance costs can help you achieve stronger cash flows and save more money to invest in the future. The good news is that there are many low-cost and efficient ways to create a low-maintenance rental property. If you are spending too much time and money on property maintenance, these policies may help.
Choose Quality
The first step to making your rental property more low-maintenance is to choose the right materials for repairs and improvements. Low maintenance is not the same as low quality. Many quality materials are more resistant and simpler to keep clean than the cheaper, low-grade kind. Flooring is one area where this is especially true. Savvy property owners often choose tile or vinyl for low-maintenance floors that will keep their appeal for many years. Tile and vinyl work well in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and other high-traffic areas. And both are easy to keep clean.
Opt for Scrubbable Surfaces
One more simple but effective strategy to minimize maintenance in your rental’s interiors is to choose a paint finish, bathtub surround, or backsplash that is easy to clean. For instance, consider painting your rental’s walls with high-quality semi-gloss paint. Unlike flat paint, which can be hard to clean and may stain easily, semi-gloss or even gloss paint tends to hold up better to heavy wear. Consider using glossy paint in the kitchen to make those walls stain-resistant. If you’ve got tile in the bathrooms, consider installing one fiberglass surround right over the top. These products are relatively budget-friendly and stay looking nice longer than grout lines. You may even consider adding a backsplash in the kitchen behind appliances and counters. A backsplash is easier to clean than a painted wall and will reduce the amount of re-painting you’ll need to do between tenants.
No-Fuss Landscaping
Your rental property’s yard is as important as the interior, so keeping your landscaping looking neat and appealing is important. To ensure that the landscaping is also low-maintenance, choose a landscaping design that will require minimal trimming and mowing to stay nice. For example, consider adding some raised flower beds around the edges instead of covering the entire yard in grass. When filled with a rich wood mulch, this can instantly upgrade the look of any yard while keeping it easy to maintain. Also, choose plants native to your climate and easy to care for. This can help keep your trees, shrubs, and flowers healthy and reduce the burden of landscaping care for your Madison property manager and tenants.
Low-Maintenance Lighting
As you plan your renovations, don’t forget to include some low-maintenance lighting and charging options. Pendant lights and chandeliers may look pretty, but they collect dust and bugs over time and are easily damaged. To reduce maintenance, choose good quality, functional lighting mounted securely against the ceiling. It’s also a good idea to choose light fixtures that make it easy for tenants to change light bulbs when needed. Additionally, consider upgrading your electrical outlets to include plug-ins for cell phones and other electronic devices for an added selling point. This will not only attract more tenants but can help prevent problems like blown fuses.
Perform Comprehensive Maintenance
Lastly, one of the best ways to create and own a low-maintenance rental is to have a comprehensive maintenance plan. Your maintenance plan should include interior and exterior maintenance tasks and a schedule of when each task should be completed. Carrying out routine maintenance every month is essential to preventing expensive emergency repairs and keeping your rental as low-maintenance as possible.
Looking for assistance in making your rental investment more low-maintenance and profitable? Contact Real Property Management Greater Madison Metro at 608-310-1290 to speak with a Madison property manager today.
Originally Published on December 18, 2020
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