Curb Appeal--The exterior of your rental property says a lot to a prospective tenant about the condition of the interior. Some examples of inexpensive ways to increase curb appeal include:

• remove any trash/debris

• remove weeds, mow lawn, trim shrubbery

• add flowers to front yard/porch area

• remove chipped paint, repair broken banisters and replace torn window screens

• replace or repair mailbox, light fixtures and house number decals that are not in good condition

• if possible, have designated area that is out of sight for garbage and recycling cans

Fresh Interior Paint--Paint is an easy step that is always a significant part of making the interior pop. A fresh coat of paint can also brighten dim hallways or highlight architectural features. Choose neutral colors such as off-white, grey, or cream. In addition to painting, consider adding moulding that will finish the transition from wall to floor or ceiling.

Kitchen and Bathroom Updates-- Have the kitchen and bathrooms deep cleaned, including behind appliances and inside and out of drawers and cabinets. Purchasing new knobs and handles for cabinets is also an inexpensive way to update a rental property. If you are able, consider purchasing new appliances. While this can be a substantial upfront cost, new appliances are appealing to prospective tenants and you will not have to worry about expensive (often prohibitively) repairs to old appliances.  

New Carpet or Laminates--Carpet gets worn out quickly, can retain odors, and old carpet can make a rental property appear worn down. New flooring is a huge appeal to prospective tenants. There have also been great advances to laminate flooring that now provide a quality look and feel, with a much longer life span than the average carpets. As with paint, stick to neutral colors. 

Consider Allowing Pets--Portland is a very pet-centric city and pets are often considered to be part of the family. Allowing pets in your rental property can help retain existing tenants and provide a larger pool of applicants for vacancies. Additionally, residents that establish pet ownership up front and cover the proper refundable deposits are more likely to be responsible tenants. 

I’d love to review these ideas or discuss new ones of your own! Feel free to contact me anytime at 503-288-8330 or email: Reed@PortlandRentalProperties.com