For your Beacon Hill rental property, it is cost-effective to design interiors that will last for a long time. Trends may be great in the short term, but keeping your rental updated on trends can mean costly renovations! By comparison, the more profitable rental properties have a certain look that lasts well into the future. Here are some ways you can keep your rental not only relevant but ready for what comes next to future-proof your rental home.
Choose Classic Over Trendy
You might want to appeal to today’s renters by incorporating the latest fad into your rental home’s interiors or even exteriors. But to create a timeless look that will last, it’s a much better idea to stick to a simple, classic design. The classic design has a signature simple, sophisticated style that is functional and highly adaptable. The classic look usually uses neutral colors and natural materials like wood, stone, and brick. Compared to loud, trendy designs, classic design is timeless and will complement a variety of aesthetics. This design outlasts short-lived design fads. This is one of the ways you can start future-proofing your rental property.
Keep Walls & Floors Neutral
Trendy colors come and go almost as quickly as most other fads. While you might want to add that accent wall or repaint your property the color of the year, you might end up spending unnecessarily to keep your rental property from looking dated. Give your rental home that timeless appeal by using paint and flooring in neutral shades. Neutrals work well in a rental house because they make a great backdrop for renters to customize the space with their own style. Soft beiges, grays, and crisp white trim are great accents that allow the resident to still make it feel like home.
Invest in Good Lighting
Another way to future-proof your rental property is to invest in quality lighting fixtures and bulbs. For many landlords, lighting in their rental homes is an afterthought. They look for the cheapest light fixtures and bulbs they can find, thinking that these will save them a few dollars. Though it may seem like a good idea in the short term, investing in quality lighting lowers utility costs and can even increase interest in your rental house, making it easier to rent and encouraging renters to stay. Most renters prefer a home that isn’t dark or has inadequately lit rooms.
If your rental had outdated light fixtures, upgrading to new, classic fixtures would provide enough light. An easy switch is to replace fluorescent lighting with modern recessed lighting which is very versatile. At the very least, change those cheap light bulbs for long-lasting LED bulbs. Even this alone will improve energy efficiency and reduce how often you have to change light bulbs each year.
Add Smart Upgrades
Finally, it seems the trend of smart technologies is here to stay. You can prepare your rental property for a time when such technologies will be expected in a property by adding some smart upgrades. Install a smart thermostat to help reduce utility costs while appealing to renters who, like most people, appreciate that they can control the features from a smartphone or tablet. Smart locks are also budget-friendly investments that offer convenience and peace of mind for residents when they have to be away from their homes.
You can decide to invest in all these smart home technologies at once or plan to install them over time. Establish your rental property’s location and figure out what your target renters want so you can begin making upgrades before the opportunity passes you by.
Would you like to learn more about strategies to make your rental home as profitable as it can be, year after year? Give Real Property Management Commonwealth a call! Our Beacon Hill rental market experts can offer valuable tips and suggestions to maximize your investment property’s potential, as well as our highly-rated property management services. You can reach us online or call us at 617-299-2342.
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