Are you thinking of renting out your house for the summer? If so, there are a few simple upgrades you can make to your home that will go a long way toward making it more attractive to potential renters. These upgrades will also help you get the best price when it comes time to find someone to take over your lease. Here are seven simple upgrades to make your home more rental-friendly this summer.
Add a Pool or Spa
If you're looking for ways to add value to your summer home, adding a pool or spa can be a great way to do it. A pool can be used year-round and is an excellent way to entertain family and friends during the summer months. Whether you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, a hot tub or spa, or both, adding these amenities can make your home more enjoyable and relaxing this summer. A pool is a great way to enjoy the summer, but it has its own set of maintenance needs that should be addressed. If you have an existing pool at your summer home, you may want to consider reading this article that deals with preparing it every summer: https://www.landmarkmgmt.co/post/soaking-up-the-sun-how-to-get-your-pool-ready-for-summer
Build a Deck
If you’re lucky enough to have a home on which a deck could be built, you’re looking at quite a different level of rental property. If it’s not part of your home design, consider building a simple structure that will extend your living space outdoors in summer and act as an ideal place for guests in winter. A large deck isn’t necessary—sometimes even a small one works well—but try to build one that matches your home in style and look. You may also want to consider adding outdoor lighting so it can be used at night too.
Air Conditioner Replacement
Replacing your air conditioner is one of those upgrades that comes with a bit of a heavy price tag, but with many additional benefits. Not only can you make money by renting out your home during the summer months, but your tenants will also likely be more comfortable when lounging in cooler rooms—and then there’s all that lovely energy savings. Look for Energy Star air conditioners and get it done before summer starts. It’ll save you on electricity bills and bring in more rental dollars over time.
HVAC Tune-up
It’s important for your renters’ comfort that your heating and cooling systems work properly. HVAC systems can cost a lot of money, but when it comes to home upgrades, it’s crucial that you maintain them in good working order. To make sure everything is running smoothly and efficiently, give them a routine tune-up before renting out your home again next year. It won’t take long: a professional will typically spend around an hour in your home, doing everything from changing air filters to checking electrical panels and even small appliances like fans. You might not see noticeable results right away, but keeping up on these tasks can help you avoid problems down the road.
Lighting Upgrades
When most people think of home upgrades, they picture things like carpets and countertops. But lighting is another home feature that can make a big difference in how much money you make from your rental property. Investing in new light fixtures and bulbs can improve your home’s curb appeal, which, according to Zillow, drives 20 percent of potential renters away from apartment complexes. By making small changes like adding additional lights or upgrading your fixtures with LED lights, you can help renters see why your place is right for them and boost their interest in it. If a new light fixture doesn’t fit into your budget just yet, consider updating a few bulbs instead; even just replacing one or two incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can make a big difference.
Cool Roofing
Cool roofs—also known as white or reflective roofs—are literally what they sound like: they reflect heat instead of absorbing it. Traditional black roofs absorb light, which makes your house warmer inside in two ways: (1) the hotter it is outside, the more energy your air conditioner needs to work; and (2) heat from outside can penetrate into your house. A white roof helps mitigate both of these issues because cool air reflects off it instead of getting absorbed by a dark color. This doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy a white roof—it just means you should paint yours white if you haven’t already.
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