Spruce Up Your Rental Property with These Tips

Owning a rental property can be a lucrative investment opportunity both for short-term stays and long-term tenants, especially during COVID when people are looking to escape the city. If you own a second property that you’re thinking about renting or have an investment property that’s ready to be occupied, a few upgrades and minor renovations can make a big difference in how much you can get for your space.

The first thing I remind people who are renovating a property that they don’t live in is to try and treat it like a house instead of a home. Spending time and money creating the perfect aesthetic is a waste because the people who will be occupying the property likely won’t have the same taste that you do. Instead, focus on function while maintaining an inviting and warm atmosphere. Keep it simple and comfortable.

Kitchens and bathrooms are key for rentals as they generally come “as-is” with less furniture and styling opportunities as rooms that are used for relaxing. With a kitchen, be sure that there is plenty of storage and that the appliances are clean and new. Remember, people like functional spaces so if you’re spending some money on upgrades, a dishwasher will be a smarter investment than a fancy mantle or built-in wine storage. For the bathroom, make sure it’s absolutely mold-free and has good ventilation. Everyone loves a strong, hot shower but no one wants a bathroom riddled with mildew from the heat and humidity. Again, it’s important to remember that no one is going to treat a rental property with the same love and care as their own house so plan for wear and tear.

Walls and carpet are important, but most of the time they can look new with a thorough clean. Before you go ripping, replacing, and repainting, see what you can do with a Magic Eraser and a carpet cleaner which can be rented from a home improvement store for around $30 per day. If your walls and carpet are damaged and you need to repaint or replace them, stick with simple, neutral colors that are easy to clean and will complement any style.

Another inexpensive upgrade is giving the fixtures a facelift. Turning some attention to cabinet knobs, door handles, blinds, and lighting can give a dated space a whole new look without spending a fortune. I can’t tell you how many homes and apartments I have been in with broken, plastic mini-blinds that make a whole room look dark and dingy. A simple replacement using wide faux wood blinds or a simple and easy to clean panel can really change a room on the cheap.

Finally, don’t even think about listing your property without investing in some good quality photography. Professional images can make all the difference no matter if you’re putting your property up on a vacation rental site or if you’re looking for a longer-term tenant. Great pictures will get more people interested in your space, giving you a wider selection of better prospects to choose from. Attracting good people who will take care of your property is key and will save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run, so it’s important to go the extra mile to find them.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Handy Home Improvements for Aging in Place

Will you stay or will you go? That’s the question that many retirees face as they age. 

According to a recent AARP poll, 90% of people surveyed planned on living at home for at least five to 10 years after they turned 65. So why is staying put such a popular choice? In addition to comfort and proximity to family, another is certainly cost. The average renovation budget for aging in place adds up to around $10,000 versus an assisted living facility which can average around $50,000 per year or much more. 

If you or your parents are considering aging at home, there are some things you can do to make a house more comfortable and safer as getting around becomes increasingly challenging. Popular upgrades such as widening doorways and fitting a walk-in shower should be done by a professional but there are also small things any homeowner can do to start getting prepared. Here are some great DIY ideas:

Grab Bars

A simple grab bar can make everyday tasks like using the bathroom and taking a shower a lot less dangerous. One thing to remember is that a grab bar will potentially have to hold the full weight of a person, so be sure to screw it to wall studs as opposed to sheetrock and pay attention to the weight limit of the bar. In addition to bathrooms, a bar by the bed can help someone with mobility issues get in and out easily.

Ramps

People tend to think that ramps are just for wheelchairs, but that’s not the case. Stairs are a major tripping hazard for anyone who is getting older. Small threshold ramps can be installed between rooms inside while a larger 16-foot ramp will generally suffice for the transition from inside to outside. 

Smart Technology

There are so many fantastic tech options to make aging parents more comfortable while giving their loved one’s peace of mind. From temperature controls to automated blinds, lighting to entertainment systems to locks, being able to control the home with a smartphone can give a mature adult a lot more freedom. Safety systems have come a long way since the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” days, with sensors and cameras that can detect changes in movement and routine better than ever before.

Doorknobs

Common issues such as arthritis can make opening doorknobs painful and difficult. Lever handles are a much better option and an inexpensive fix. Similarly, furniture and kitchen knobs should be swapped out with bar-style handles for easier access.  

Electric Stair Lifts

While they are one of the most expensive improvements, a chair to help navigate stairs is a must for people with muscular weakness or walking problems. In addition to physical safety, most people are comforted by knowing there is a safe way to get between floors without fear.

No-Slip Flooring

Falls are the most common cause of injury and death for older Americans and many take place in the bathroom. Replacing or covering the flooring with a non-slip surface is a smart preventative measure and can help reduce the risk of an accident when the floor becomes wet. Many options are simple to install and materials can be found at most local home improvement stores. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Downsizing During a Record-Breaking Real Estate Market

I read an article last week that said the local real estate market is riding a 15-year high as urbanites look to flee the city and work-from-home folks need more space. 

Selling the family home for a smaller house or apartment is a popular consideration as we age. As much pleasure as a larger property can offer, it’s also a lot to clean and maintain on a regular basis. Many baby boomers agree. According to a survey by real estate company Zillow, almost 50 percent of boomers who sold homes were in the process of downsizing. So how should you tackle the tough and tedious process of deciding what stays and what will go? Here are a few tips to take into consideration.

Start Now

Even if you’re not yet ready to downsize, it’s a good idea to begin organizing yourself early. Seasonal changes are a fantastic time to start getting rid of clothing and equipment that never make it out of the closet. Pretty soon it will be spring, so take stock of what you didn’t use in the winter. Facebook Marketplace is a great way to make a few extra dollars on gently used goods or consider your local shelter or Salvation Army for donations. 

Take Photos

Leaving a house can be difficult, especially if it’s one that you’ve raised your family in. Be sure to take photos and videos of the various places where memories were made. After the house is gone, you’ll appreciate reminiscing and remembering the good times through pictures. A video diary is a fun thing to share with the kids too. 

Choose Your Favorites

Collections are always very hard to part with. My best tip is to pick a few favorites and let the rest go. Some collections have plenty of sentimentalities but not much monetary value. Other collections can be worth a pretty penny once you’re ready to part with it. Either way, downsizing into a smaller space is the perfect time to get rid of some of the things you’ve been holding onto for a long time. 

Paperwork Purge

This is one of the worst tasks but it’s a must for many downsizers. So many of us hold onto paperwork for too long, only to get completely overwhelmed and bogged down with it years later. Things that might seem worth keeping such as tax returns only need to be filed for seven years if that. Most of our accounts and records are kept online anyway, so there is really little need to have hard copies of anything. Invest in a good shredder and start pushing that paper.

Get Help

Downsizing is tough to do alone, so enlist your children to help with the sorting and organizing. If you’re the sentimental type, it’s also a good opportunity to pass treasures onto family members. I also advise having someone close by if you’re tackling the more difficult parts of the home such as attics and storage spaces as they can be quite warm, stuffy, and harder to navigate. Don’t take on any of these projects if you’re home alone. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.