Upgrades that Can Help Your Tenant Save and Improve Your Property
Dustin Edwards • April 24, 2020
The Right Property Rental Upgrades Can Help You and Your Tenant
When rental property property owners think of investing money in their property, quite often the thought is around maintenance of the property. Maintenance can come in many forms from replacing aging windows, resurfacing flooring, or the ever common re-painting. Of course as markets change and renters look for more value for their money it is up to the property owner to look for ways to add value.
While the larger new apartment developments can offer amenities such as a pool or gym, that doesn’t mean an owner of a single family home for rent in Long Beach can’t offer unique aspects that attract renters who pay a great rent and are looking to stay. As different innovations hit the housing market many of them are appropriate for your rental. Consider the following upgrades or you might even consider them updates to your rental to help you property stand out from the competition.
LED Lights
Many homes in Long Beach have been upgraded to include canned lights, but are those lights upgraded to LED lights. With the change in California to LED lights in 2018 it didn’t mean that everyone switched out their lighting or bulbs right away. LED lights are more cost effective to operate and with traditional incandescent lights out now just might be the time to switch over your lighting to all LED.
Insulation
If you have ever had an energy analysis performed on your home in Long Beach then it is likely that the concept of insulation was raised to help the home get greater use from the heating and AC unit. In the 1940’s, when many of the homes throughout Long Beach and Lakewood were built, insulation wasn’t part of the mandated building process as it is today. While insulation wasn’t common during the 1940’s or 1950’s the benefit is that raised foundations were popular making adding insulation fairly straight forward. Consider adding insulation in the attic to help control monthly heating and cooling costs.
Solar
The cost of solar has been decreasing (by some stats by 20% over the past 5 years) over recent years with increased competition and improved efficiencies. While solar panels can be one of the more expensive upgrades (prices can range from $11,000-$20,000 depending on the size of your property) it is one that can provide all of the necessary electricity for your property. With the tenant benefiting from not having an electric bill (or an incredibly tiny one) you could even get a premium on your monthly rental amount when they discover your property has solar.
These are just a few of the property upgrades
that can help tenants save and keep them happy in your Long Beach rental for years to come. When you want to find out which upgrades we recommend if you have a recent vacancy we invite you to call us today (562) 888-0247. If you want to have a quick check to see how much your property could fetch in rent we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis
where we can show you how your property will fair against the competition.
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Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof 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 .
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