Blog Post

A Garage Can be a True Asset to Your Long Beach Rental

Dustin Edwards • August 9, 2021

Creativity with a Garage Can Help Add Real Value to Your Rental

Garage with Doors
Throughout Long Beach and Los Angeles County, most garages go unused for a variety of reasons. Either your tenants carpool, they leave their car in the driveway out of convenience, or their car cannot squeeze into the garage. Regardless, chances are your Long Beach rental garage is sitting empty and collecting dust. However, you can repurpose the underutilized location with a host of enhancement that could interest your tenants and add value to your property. 

Storage
Most commonly, people use their empty garages to store all the belongings they cannot fit within their house. For tenants, extra storage can be extremely helpful, especially if they only plan on staying in your rental for a relatively short period. For more information on the ways you can make your garage into the ideal storage space, check out the following blog post: Garage Storage Enhancements for Your Long Beach Rental.

Home Gym
With the hectic schedules most Long Beach residents face, a home gym can save your tenants both money and time otherwise spent at their local fitness center. Furthermore, installing a home gym can fit your rental with a distinct amenity to draw potential tenants and increase your rental rates. 

Though there are various exercise machines to choose from, it is best to stick with simple, frequently used equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, dumbbells, and/or power racks. You can find a range of options at Gym Source or your local fitness store. 

Playroom 
When looking for a rental, a playroom may be the deciding factor that makes tenants with children choose your property. Additionally, like a home gym, you can charge higher rates for the added space. 

Converting a garage to a playroom requires new flooring that is safe for children and also durable, such as luxury vinyl tile. Then, simply put in some storage for toys and a few kid-sized tables and chairs for activities. 

The benefit of redesigning the garage to a playroom rather than a home gym is that it is a cheaper but altogether equally lucrative investment. There are just as many budding families as there are gym rats searching for rentals in Long Beach. 

Home Office
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses either have yet to return to in-person work or plan to remain online indefinitely. As such, tenants may prefer a home office to operate in rather than their kitchen or living room. 

If your rental does not have a separate home office, it may be smart to implement one in the garage. All you need is a desk, a chair, a printer, easily accessible electrical outlets, and perhaps some storage.

Depending on the size of the garage, you could even combine the home office with a home gym or playroom to make it a multipurpose space. This would make your rental more desirable and more valuable. 

Accessory Dwelling Unit
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is an addition to your rental property that consists of its own entrance, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry. Essentially, it is a separate structure commonly referred to as a Granny Flat or Casita. 

Converting a garage into an ADU can be a long process that is certainly more expensive than the aforementioned alternatives. Nevertheless, an ADU garage conversion can effectively double your single-family rental and significantly increase the value of your property. With the recent rise in popularity of ADUs, the financial benefits should ultimately exceed the initial costs. 

That being said, developing an ADU can be a complicated endeavor, and there are various state and country requirements to follow. 

Finding the ideal purpose for your Long Beach rental garage can be difficult. To better understand the long-term value of these potential additions and determine which one is right for you, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247, or you can fill out our Owner Application online

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By Dustin Edwards January 24, 2025
Maintaining high tenant occupancy rates in today’s competitive rental market can be challenging for some landlords, especially those just starting their portfolios. With a large number of options available, attracting and retaining high-quality tenants requires more than the traditional methods. In order to stand out, landlords need to get out of their comfort zones and adopt innovative strategies tailored to modern tenants and their priorities. Below are three such tactics to boost tenant occupancy and reduce vacancies. Highlight Eco-Friendly Features Prospective tenants are increasingly being drawn to sustainable living, this makes eco-friendly features a key incentive for many landlords. Tenants have been prioritizing homes that align with their eco-friendly values. Consider using energy-efficient appliances such as washers, refrigerators, and HVAC systems. This Is a great area to begin though it can be expanded upon with solar panels, and EV charging stations. Being eco-friendly is more than electronics, water conservation measures can be equally important in attracting tenants. Installing water-saving fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens reduces water consumption while potentially saving you or your tenants on the water bill. Furthermore, usingdrought-resistantt and native plants also help conserve water while maintaining curb appeal. Eco-friendly upgrades will oftentimes cater to the growing demand of sustainable living, and create a competitive advantage to attract environmentally conscious tenants looking for long-term occupancy. Adopt Digital Strategies An effective online presence is essential for attracting prospective tenants in today’s digital age. Most potential tenants starting their search online, landlords need to be able to capitalize on digital marketing platforms and social media to showcase their properties and stand out in the market. Posting listings on popular rental platforms like Zillow, Apartments.com or Rent.com to name a few can further improve visibility. These platforms help landlords and property managers to highlight unique features in the property such as the aforementioned eco-friendly upgrade and other amenities you may have on your rental property. Social media sites can also be used as a powerful tool for showcasing rentals and engaging prospective tenants . This is also a great place to share professional photos, virtual tours, and even tenant testimonials. This can help to build trust and interest from potential renters. You can also use social media to maintain healthy communication with established tenants which is a great way to demonstrate approachability and professionalism. This can be a great way to reach a broader audience and improve your rental property’s visibility. Tenant Retention Although not necessarily a new tactic, screening potential tenants is a timeless yet continually evolving strategy for maintaining high occupancy rates. Retaining reliable tenants reduces turnover rates and minimizes costs. To achieve this, landlords need to first prioritize finding the right tenant. Careful tenant screening is vital for long-term success. This typically includes credit and background checks, as well as contacting previous landlords to help you identify financially stable tenants who are likely to care for the property. Another method for retaining tenants is by offering move-in incentives . This can be small perks such as gift cards or something more enticing such as a month of free rent. These gestures can help make a prospective tenant feel more valued, reinforcing their decision to stay in your rental long-term. Even a little kindness can leave a lasting impression. It's crucial to stay ahead of the market to boost occupancy, adopting innovative strategies can help meet modern renter’s appeals. Adapting quickly ensures your rental properties stand out against the competition while attracting tenants in a competitive landscape. If you need help filling in vacancies or if you need help 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 January 17, 2025
A new year is a new chance to start new ideas to bring in prospects to your property. Consider the following 5 ideas to engage prospects and get new tenants.
By Dustin Edwards January 10, 2025
Having clear communication with your tenant is essential for maintaining a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. By being transparent in all relevant interactions, landlords can prevent misunderstandings while resolving repairs and disputes efficiently while improving tenant satisfaction. Having good communication with your tenant is beneficial for landlords too. Effective communication also protects your investment property. Remember that while your tenant is living in the property, landlords need to take care of the repairs. Below are the three best things to do during tenant communications. Prompt Responses Addressing tenant concerns quickly is essential for building trust and maintaining a positive relationship. Tenants feel valued when landlords respond quickly, knowing that their needs are being prioritized. Building this trust not only enhances your tenant’s satisfaction it lowers the possibility of conflicts or misunderstandings to arise. This ultimately creates a healthy and successful rental experience for you and your tenant. Some of the most common inquiries will oftentimes include repair requests, among others. As an example; if your tenant reports a leak under their faucet and the repair is delayed, this can be damaging to your landlord-tenant relationship, as well as your property. If left ignored, that leak can result in hundreds of dollars in water damage and a vacancy . Which can further affect our bottom line negatively. For landlords with multiple properties, this can become difficult to keep track of. A property manager can help with scheduling repairs and communicating with your tenant on your behalf. Document Everything Keeping a detailed record of all interactions with your tenant is an important element when managing a property. There are many choices for documentation including email, text, or written notices. Although many property management companies and landlords have opted to use apps or dedicated tenant portals to log communications. A great example, for instance, a tenant may claim they’d reported a repair issue that was never addressed, if everything is to be documented, both you and the tenant would have a copy of the request. Maintaining transparency with tenants. Having thorough documentation ensures agreements and requests between all parties are clearly tracked. Documenting communications with your tenant provides landlords with a foundation for addressing misunderstandings, or disputes if and when they arise. Provide Regular Updates Regular updates show tenants that their landlord is organized and has an attentive approach to managing their property. Giving tenants ample time for maintenance, inspections or policy changes is a simple way to build trust with your tenants while showing your professionalism. Giving tenants advanced notices reassures them that you’re aware of how changes can affect them and you understand that time might be needed in order to adjust. Surprises are best kept for birthday parties. Proactively notifying tenants of changes helps clear the communication channels and minimizes disruptions which helps tenants feel valued and satisfied. These small yet consistent efforts can contribute to a positive tenant stay, which can encourage lease renewals and long-term tenancy. Additionally, having a good relationship with your tenants can give you a great reputation which can provide you with leads when looking to fill a vacancy . It cannot be understated the importance of communication for a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. Even if your tenant may not agree with some of the decisions a landlord needs to make, by giving your tenants ample time to process the change tenants generally are more accepting of said change. If you’re having trouble communicating with your tenants or if you need help managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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