Blog Post

What Appliances Should be Furnished in Your Rental?

Dustin Edwards • October 12, 2021

The Right Appliances Can Keep Tenants Happy and Help You Earn Top Rental Rates

Kitchen with Furnished Appliances
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.

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By Dustin Edwards December 19, 2024
If you're properties are suffering from lack of heating this winter, these 3 common issues could be the cause.
By Dustin Edwards December 12, 2024
Although Southern California’s winters are typically mild when compared to other parts of the country, tenants still value a warm home during the cooler months. Taking steps to maintain a comfortable living environment shows your tenants that their needs are being prioritized. This is crucial for tenant satisfaction, especially during the holidays. Below are three methods to help keep tenants warm during the winter season. Maintain Heating System It's required for landlords to provide rentals with a working heating system, however, it's not uncommon for these to fall into disrepair either because of lack of maintenance or negligence. Scheduling regular inspections and maintenance before the coldest weather can help to ensure the heating is reliable and efficient. Cleaning air filters, and checking for cold spots, or irregular noises can help prevent small issues from escalating into expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance can help to reduce the chances of inconvenient calls for emergency repairs. Being proactive with your maintenance can also help you protect your investment while earning goodwill from your tenant. Another factor that can affect your heating system is drafts around windows and doors. These drafts can cause your heating system to overwork which makes the system less efficient, and reliable and ultimately reduces the lifespan of your heating system. You can address this by inspecting the seals around doors and windows for gaps or cold spots. Replace worn-out seals and caulking where it's needed. Offer Smart Thermostats Consider providing your tenants with a smart thermostat for energy-efficient heating. This can not only give tenants control over their comfort, but it's also a great tool to reduce energy usage. By providing this upgrade to your tenant, you show a commitment to your tenant’s satisfaction which can in turn result in a long-term tenant. These kinds of devices definitely benefit your tenants, though they can also contribute to the longevity of your rental property as well. Additionally, you can give your tenant a smart thermostat as a holiday gift . This can show your tenant that you’re not simply collecting rent while protecting your investment. Reverse Ceiling Fans The direction in which a ceiling fan rotates is oftentimes overlooked, and it can have a great effect on the temperature of a home. A ceiling fan is typically seen as a way to cool down a home during the hotter seasons without using the air conditioning . Reversing the spin of a ceiling fan can help to circulate warm air more efficiently during the cold season . This is because warm air rises, and a fan rotating clockwise will push the warm air back down helping maintain warm temperatures. Most fans have a switch on the motor and it is easily accessible for most people with a step ladder. This easy adjustment helps reduce the need for your tenant to use the heating system. Tenants will notice a more consistent and comfortable temperature indoors. This should also help reduce costs on their energy bill. Reversing the rotation of the ceiling fans also takes some of the strain off of the heating system. This helps to ensure it operates efficiently for years by reducing the wear and tear on it. Taking proactive steps this winter season to ensure your tenant’s comfort demonstrates a landlord’s commitment to their tenant’s comfort. A comfortable tenant is a satisfied tenant , which can lead to a long-term tenant and steady rental income. Consider it a small investment for long-term success. If you need help keeping your rental warm or managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards December 5, 2024
Discover 3 Gift Ideas for your tenants this holiday season.
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