Keeping Your Visalia Rental Competitive: Renovation Ideas to Attract Top Tenants

There are a number of very good reasons to renovate your Visalia investment property. For example, you’ll increase your rental value, drive up your property value, and you’ll continue to maintain and protect the condition of your property over the long term. 

Most important, perhaps, is that renovations will attract and retain high-quality tenants. 

To keep your rental property competitive in a crowded market, you need to make sure it stands out from all the other properties that tenants are scrolling through. It’s easy for them to believe that every property starts to look the same when they’re moving through listing after listing. 

You need to stand out.

When it’s time to make some renovations that are designed to attract the best tenants, talk to a Visalia property manager. Talk to us. 

Here are our best, general ideas. The most effective updates will depend on your specific property and the rental value you’re currently resting at. So get in touch, and we’ll provide a customized list of suggestions. 

In the meantime, consider these.

Invest in Kitchen Upgrades for Your Visalia Investment Property

Kitchens count for a lot of prospective tenants in Visalia. For most renters, the kitchen is the emotional center of the property. This is where meals are prepared and shared. Coffee is made and drinks are poured. The kitchen is where big discussions are had and minor daily details are told. The kitchen is where a day begins. 

Most of the tenants we talk to tell us that the kitchen is one of the most important areas in the next home that they choose. So, it makes sense to focus on kitchen upgrades when you’re making decisions about what you want to improve and where you want to renovate. 

Let’s get into the specifics of where you can make a big difference in your kitchen. 

• Consider small and cost-effective upgrades and updates. Do something like a tile backsplash behind the stove or the sink. Maybe you’ll want to install new drawer pulls or fresh knobs on your cupboards and cabinets. Take a look at the lighting in your kitchen. Is it good for cooking? Or, do you have an aging and yellowing orb that’s filled with dust and insects and covering a flickering bulb? Consider some LED lights instead, which are more energy efficient and attractive. 
• If it’s in the budget, we strongly recommend evaluating your appliances. This is also important if your existing appliances are old, worn, or loud. Stainless is extremely popular, and if you can afford it, you should buy it. Otherwise, just make sure that all the appliances match. A white refrigerator might look strange next to a stainless stove and oven set. More important than aesthetics for most tenants is energy efficiency. We’ll talk about sustainability home features a little later, but know that efficient appliances are a good upgrade and popular with tenants.  
• Consider some luxury updates if that’s what your competition is providing in the market. Granite counters, tile floors, and soft-close drawers and cabinets are popular choices among renters today, and can help your property stand out from similar rentals in the area.

With a kitchen that gets the immediate attention of prospective renters, you’ll have an easy time attracting and retaining good tenants. 

Moving Onto Bathrooms: The Benefits of Renovating This Small Space

Probably you don’t think a lot about the bathroom. But, your tenants do. And here’s more good news: bathroom renovations are a good idea because they’re often cost-efficient. 

While the bathroom isn’t exactly designed for aesthetics, and yes, this part of the property is really more about functionality than anything else in a rental property, you still want it to look modern and attractive. This will bring in high-quality tenants and help you earn more in rent. 

Listen, bathrooms will be used every day, right? You want your tenants to be comfortable, even if the space is small. 

You can actually make a big impact with your bathrooms. Upgrades like new floor tiles, shiny fixtures, or lighting can give an outdated bathroom a fresh, modern look. When is the last time you replaced that mirror over the sink? It doesn’t have to be a boring square of reflective glass. Get a bit creative while still appealing to a diverse pool of tenants. 

Remember that renters will appreciate a bright, clean bathroom with plenty of space to store their belongings.

Investing in Energy Efficiency and Visalia Investment Properties 

If you really want to set your property apart, you’ll think a little bit more long term. Maybe you’ll consider investing in improvements that make your property a little bit greener. 

This is becoming more and more of a priority for tenants in the Visalia rental market. Renters are increasingly looking for properties that are energy-efficient and sustainable, as this can help them save money on utility bills and do a better job of protecting the planet. If you talk to tenants, this is a priority when it comes to finding their next home. 

Here are some of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to renovate your home with energy efficiency in mind: 

• We’ve talked a bit about appliances already. Make an effort to upgrade any new appliances to a model that has an Energy Star rating. Tenants will appreciate that less water and electricity is being used, and they’ll be glad their energy bills are lower. 
• Replace old light bulbs with LED bulbs. This is an easy one. Your LED bulbs will last for decades, and you won’t have to replace burned out bulbs between each tenancy. 
• Remove any windows or doors that are inefficient and allow hot and cold air to escape. Check your insulation and add extra if you can see that there are gaps and leaks. 

Smart Home Technology Renovations Attract Modern Tenants  

One of the newer trends in tenant preferences is smart home technology. They’re looking for convenience, and a lot of the smart home features on the market provide a lot of convenience and ease. 

For a lot of rental property owners, smart home tech seems pretty expensive. But, when you pick and choose the right upgrades to make, you’ll find that you’re able to raise your rents, attract and retain tenants, and provide a property that’s more competitive on the market. Some of the most popular smart home tech updates will include: 

• Security features such as alarm systems and video doorbells. 
• Keyless entry. Instead of metal keys that can be lost or stolen, a digital keypad with unique codes can be more secure and easier to manage. 
• Smart thermostats. These are also popular and also meet your goal of providing a greener and more energy efficient rental. 

Remember that more tenants are increasingly working from home. They’ll expect and desire access to good Wi-Fi and other high-tech features in their homes. 

These are some of the best renovations and updates that we can recommend for most Visalia rental properties. Let’s talk about your investments in particular, and decide where your renovation dollars are best spent in the pursuit of highly qualified residents. Please contact us at The Equity Group.