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What Upgrades Does My Rental Property Need?

Investing in upgrades for your rental property is crucial for maximizing its value and appeal to potential tenants. By modernizing certain aspects, you can enhance your property’s function and appearance, making it more competitive in the rental market. This article will discuss several beneficial upgrades that landlords should consider to ensure long-term profitability and tenant satisfaction.

Clean Your Gutters

Neglecting your property’s gutters can lead to significant damage, eventually costing more money in repairs. Proper maintenance not only safeguards the building structure but also contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal. While gutter guard installation may seem like an additional expense, its long-term benefits far outweigh the initial cost.

Many landlords understand the importance of preserving the structural integrity of their properties, and gutter maintenance is a fundamental part of this. When gutters are cluttered with debris, water can overflow, damaging the foundation and exterior walls. Ensuring they are clean and well-maintained can prevent such damage and ultimately save money.

Investing in professional gutter guard installation can ease the burden of regular maintenance, although it’s essential to weigh the costs. According to Architectural Digest, homeowners can expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000 for this upgrade. Over time, this can be a worthwhile investment protecting your property’s value and reducing maintenance expenses.

Update The Appliances

Modern appliances are often a significant selling point for tenants seeking rental properties. Outdated or inefficient appliances can make your property less attractive and lead to higher utility bills. Upgrading these can enhance the property’s appeal and potentially allow for increased rental income.

Landlords must consider the balance between initial investment and long-term gain when updating appliances. Energy-efficient models often have a higher upfront cost but result in lower energy bills over time, offering savings to both landlords and tenants. This long-term view is essential for property owners looking to maximize their investment return.

Considering the broader financial landscape is crucial, especially where evictions are prevalent. According to Proceeding of the Nation Academy of Sciences, approximately 2.7 million households receive an eviction filing each year in the United States, highlighting the financial pressures on families. By updating appliances, landlords can provide better living conditions, potentially reducing vacancy rates and ensuring consistent rent payments.

Tackle Small Areas

Focusing on the little details can have a remarkable impact on the overall appeal of your rental property. Small upgrades often require less financial investment but can significantly enhance the tenant experience. These can range from lighting improvements to fresh coat of paint in key areas.

One uncomplicated yet effective upgrade is updating the grout in bathrooms and kitchens. Fresh grout makes these spaces look cleaner and well maintained, which tenants highly appreciate. According to Home Depot, the three most common types of grout are epoxy, sanded, and unsanded, each serving specific uses and offering distinct visual finishes.

Landlords should invest in durable materials and finishes that promise longevity and reduced maintenance. Such small upgrades can keep your property looking fresh and modern and may save you money in potential repairs. Regular maintenance of these small areas contributes to high tenant satisfaction and retention.

By strategically implementing these and other upgrades, landlords can significantly enhance their property’s value and appeal. Clean gutters, modern appliances, and attention to detail in small spaces can lead to long-term savings and increased rental income. Balancing initial costs with potential returns is essential when planning such improvements, as the ultimate goal is to create a welcoming and efficient environment for tenants while maximizing return on investment. Be sure to make your property look it’s best this upcoming year. Your tenants will thank you for it!

A New Kind of Christmas: Finding Joy When Traditions Shift

by Hope

This year, Christmas will be different – in ways I never imagined. Neither the twins or Gymnast will be home. While the girls are both nearby, they have their own homes and won’t likely be staying over. For the first time, the traditions we’ve built around having everyone gathered under one roof feel like they’re unraveling a bit. The crazy of Christmas morning chaos, the shared laughter, and the familiar rhythm of our holiday is shifting, leaving me wondering how to make this season special.

Traditions Must Grow with Us

As I have sat with this the last month or so, I’m reminded that traditions can be beautiful. But they’re also meant to grow with us. Maybe this year will open the door to new ways of celebrating – not as replacements but as additions to our story. Here are a few things I’m considering to bring warmth and meaning into a quieter, different kind of holiday:

Embrace Simplicity and Quiet Moments
With fewer people at home, there’s a quiet I’m both dreading and looking forward to. It’s an opportunity to slow down, to soak in the little things, and maybe start a tradition that I hadn’t thought of before. I’m thinking about bringing in moments that celebrate this new chapter. I haven’t been able to identify any that appeal just yet, which is a little frustrating.
Stay Connected in New Ways
Just because everyone isn’t here doesn’t mean they aren’t part of our Christmas. I’m planning to find moments to connect with each of the boys over our Thanksgiving together and then from afar. Whether it’s a video call while we open presents or sending each other little photos and memories from the day, staying close in spirit, if not in person, feels like a new tradition worth creating.
Create Traditions for the Ones Who Are Here Now
It might not be the boisterous gathering of years past, but it’s still family, and I’m holding onto that with gratitude. With the girls close by, there’s a chance to focus on creating new, more intimate memories together. Maybe this is the year we add something special just for us. Ideas?

New Kind of Christmas

This Christmas will be a different kind of holiday, with a bittersweet edge, yes, but also with room to rediscover what it means to gather, even if it’s in new ways. In a sense, traditions are less about what we do and more about who we do it with. This year, I’ll hold close to the memories of our past while embracing the chance to build something fresh, even if it looks different from the Christmases we’re used to.

And who knows? Maybe in a few years, I’ll look back and realize this new season was a gift all its own. Have you gone through a season of transition as your kids spread their wings and fly? How did you maneuver the change in tradition?

Hope

Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 3 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.