Garage Storage Enhancements for Your Long Beach Rental
Dustin Edwards • September 4, 2020
Storage Enhancements Can Help Your Tenants Stay Longer
In Long Beach and nearby Lakewood it is safe to say that the majority of garages aren’t used for parking cars. The argument could be made that garages designed as a 1-car garage don’t easily accommodate today’s vehicles. The larger 2-car garages aren’t generally used for parking a car in Southern California..
Why aren’t cars parked in the garage? Maybe it is the great weather? Maybe it’s that direct access isn’t always available? Maybe it’s that we are always on the go and waiting for the garage door just takes too long. Whatever the reason may be we see the lack of using a garage for parking a car as an opportunity to enhance your rental to encourage tenants to stay even longer. Consider the following methods you could apply to your garage space of your Long Beach rental:
Overhead Storage
Overhead garage storage is a rack system that is connected to the wall studs in the ceiling of your garage. These systems are adjustable in height and can generally accommodate over 100 lbs of items. When tenants see these types of systems they can envision storing their seasonal decorations or even items they previously had in storage which encourages them to stay longer in your rental.
One of the most common systems is by FlexiMounts
and they can be found at Home Depot and provide for flexible sizing. For less than $200 it is a great solution to provide added value to your rental.
Equipment Specific Storage
When you are in Southern California there is no doubt that one of the motivating factors is to enjoy the near year-round great weather. To help your tenants stay in your rental for the long-haul and enjoy the weather with the activities they enjoy consider installing a few equipment specific storage systems. The two most common we have found to be popular are bike racks and surfboard racks.
- Bike Rack - There are many different bike rack solutions that you could install in your garage. One that we have found is cost effective and allows for a slim profile (i.e. it doesn’t take up much space) is the steady rack system. You can purchase these individual racks and have them installed to allow your tenant to store a few bikes (we’d recommend at least two). The unique system has a swivel that allows the bike to sit nearly flush with the wall saving valuable space.
- Surfboard Rack - Surfboards are one of the larger items that a tenant could need to store. Having a spot in your garage where a tenant could store their boards may make it very challenging for them to ever want to leave your place. Consider a wall mount system for the surfboards that you can find on Amazon to help your tenant see that your rental is the place they want to stay.
When it comes to adding storage to the garage of your Long Beach Rental there are many items to consider. To help you understand how storage can contribute to the longevity of your tenants property we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247. Or if you prefer a complete evaluation of your property we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis.
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ADUs are a great to expend your current rental property and increase unit count for rent, find out the different ways to convert existing structures into ADUs
There's value in keeping tenants happy. Discover 4 reasons keeping tenants happy is good for your property.
With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
