Many first-time landlords may wonder if they should furnish their Long Beach rental. After all, a furnished property has a higher rent than an unfurnished one. However, furnished properties need extra care and maintenance. Not to mention, furniture requires replacing over time, either from tenant misuse or expected deterioration.
Due to these various factors, most long-term rentals are not fully furnished. More commonly, short-term rentals (i.e. Airbnbs) are fully furnished as these properties are usually only inhabited for days or weeks at a time.
That being said, you may still want to consider minimal furnishing in particular areas of your long-term rental. These added details can intrigue and excite tenants, who will appreciate having to pack or purchase less furniture.
Below are some of the areas we suggest furnishing in your Long Beach rental.
Outdoor Living Space
Tenants will appreciate having a place where they can relax and enjoy the year-round California sun. Designing a spacious outdoor living space can give your Long Beach rental a competitive edge that others may lack. Comfortable lounge seats, a dining set, and a grill are all wonderful furnishings for crafting a pleasant and engaging area perfect for laid-back leisure or joyous partying. Wayfair and Home Depot both have an immense selection of patio furniture to choose from.
Though typically more expensive, a built-in grill can make an outdoor living space even more appealing. Grills can be built into wooden or stone cabinets with granite, marble, or other countertops, therefore elevating an outdoor cooking area to a full-on outdoor kitchen. Countertop space provides ample room for food, plates, and grilling equipment, as well as a workspace for your tenants. You can even include a sink, minifridge, and other outdoor appliances. Home Depot provides a range of options for outdoor appliances, cabinets, and countertops.
Additionally, consider putting a shade structure above your outdoor living space to help your tenants stay cool on warmer days or dry on rainy days.
Overall, an expansive and tasteful outdoor living space can be a rewarding investment that significantly interests tenants.
Kitchen
Though they may seem customary to most rentals, landlords are not legally obligated to include
kitchen appliances. Nevertheless, many rentals do come with appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and microwaves, that are arguably necessities for tenants to live comfortably and to justify paying a competitive rental amount.
Many tenants will see a furnished kitchen as a positive aspect of your Long Beach rental and further demonstrate the quality of your rental. While some tenants may already own appliances that they would like to install, your fully furnished rental will be more appealing to the majority of applicants.
Laundry
Similar to kitchen appliances, landlords are not legally obligated to include a washer and dryer. However, it may be beneficial to establish a laundry room in your Long Beach rental or, if you lack sufficient space, add a washer and dryer to the kitchen. Tenants will appreciate being able to clean their clothes in their own space instead of at a laundromat.
Obviously, if your Long Beach rental is part of a larger complex (i.e. a condo, or even a duplex) with its own communal laundry area, then this addition would prove redundant and unnecessary.
All the above furnishings can act as impressive bonuses for potential tenants and may be the ultimate factor that makes them choose your rental over another. If you would like more assistance regarding furnishing your Long Beach rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our online
Rental Analysis.
