12 Rental Property Improvements You Can Make for Under $1000

If you’re renting out an unfurnished apartment or home, there’s nowhere to hide bad floors. Smelly carpets, chipped linoleum, or stained tile can make or break a prospective tenant’s decision. To  keep yourself on budget, focus on small, key areas of flooring when updating your property. Putting new flooring in entry areas and bathrooms or replacing the carpet in that one ugly bedroom will make a big difference when showing your home.

In a city as rainy as Seattle, a sealed roof is a must. Roof leaks can cause major havoc with rental properties. They can quickly deteriorate your asset, cause ballooning repair bills, frustrate tenants, and lead to damage of renter belongings that you may be liable to cover. 

Seattle’s #1 industry is tech. With Amazon, Microsoft, and tech companies continuing to attract new transplants daily, adding some trendy new tech to your property can make renters choose your rental over your competition. Smart home technology upgrades that are popular, useful, (and under $1000) include:

Seattle nightlife is known for its craft beer and cocktails, but many renters choose to save their money and enjoy drinks at home. Expanding a kitchen counter top, bringing in a standalone bar to the living room or dining room, or adding a mini-fridge to a finished basement or garage really adds to the excitement and emotional appeal of a place without breaking a $1000 budget.

Kitchens and bathrooms are the first rooms to look outdated in any home. Replacing kitchen and bathroom cabinets can be expensive and a lot of work. Instead, look at options for refinishing existing ones.   Refinishing  (simply changing the finish/color of your cabinets) is the most affordable option, but is only recommended if your cabinets are still in good condition. If your cabinet doors are cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged, consider refacing. Refacing replaces the doors rather than replacing the cabinets all together. 

Kitchen backsplashes can make a massive difference in the appeal and perceived value of a home. Installing a   backsplash  is affordable, but time consuming, so make sure that you plan accordingly. There are endless combinations of tile to choose from that match your home’s style and budget. 

Working from home has quickly become the new norm. However, many remote workers soon find that working from the sofa isn’t as effective as they expected. 

Finished garage spaces add a big “wow” factor and more value to your rental property. We recommend that you ensure there is still a space to park a car comfortably, as covered parking is in high demand in a city as big and rainy as Seattle. Even on a tight budget, you may be able to:

Replacing front door, closet, and   cabinet hardware  can have one of the best returns of any home improvement. Before heading to the store, be sure to note the size of knob or handle that you need and snap a few photos of the room to compliment the colors. 

 

Staging can be powerful for marketing rentals. You can   stage your rental property virtually  for less than $1000—or bring in some extra furniture or rent furniture temporarily. Be sure to pay attention to details, like matching bed linens or bath towels. 

 

Appliances are a big deal to renters. Replace microwaves or dishwashers that are broken, consider adding a washer-dryer, or lease new appliances when staging. You can choose whether or not to include the appliances for the duration of the lease, but be sure to inform tenants of your choice before they sign.