Thinking of Engaging an Architect to Improve Your Rental Property?

Dustin Edwards • March 18, 2022

An Architect Could Bring Valuable Ideas to Improve or Increase Your Long Beach Rental Property

There are many reasons why you could improve your Long Beach rental property. When you engage with an architect be sure to request references of previous projects both completed and in various stages of construction. Especially when considering using an architect for a rental property, ask the architect about their experience specifically with rental properties as the approach differs dramatically when compared with a personal residence.  Be clear with them about your ideas as well as your budget. Ask clarifying questions about costs and timeframes.


Below are some suggestions of what could add additional value to your Long Beach rental property.


Adding a Bathroom to Your Rental Property

Adding a second bathroom to a single family home rental property can give your tenants a second option to get ready in the morning. With many people working from home, bathrooms are a hot commodity especially if there are children and multiple people getting ready. A two bathroom home is generally far more appealing to tenants and will often fetch higher rents.


The cost of a new bathroom is about $22,000 for a new addition on average. Adding a bathroom to an existing space can be $7,600 on average but you will lose square footage in the living spaces. When you add a new bathroom factors that increase costs include:


  • Location
  • Size
  • Design
  • Age of Property


There is also the possibility of unexpected costs to keep in mind. Be sure to put additional money into your budget in the event problems arise once the walls begin to come down. Problems such as leaks, mold, pests or worse, are common to uncover. It's better to be prepared and if there is nothing unexpected, the extra money can go back into the general budget. 


Adding an Additional Bedroom to Your Rental Property

More bedrooms can allow a property to rent for more. An additional room can increase market value as many new tenants may be looking for the extra space to work from home or if they are looking to start a family. A benefit of adding new bedrooms is the added square footage. More square footage, means your property could sell for more should you ever want to. 


A more affordable option that doesn’t add square footage is dividing an existing space into a seperate bedroom. Depending on what room is being divided installing a wall can range between $2,500 to $6,000 per wall. And an additional $1,000 to $2,000 if you need to add doors and windows.  In these scenarios an architect's advice on the flow of the floor plan can be essential and consulting with a property management company on what is common in the neighborhood can help you in your decision making process.


While some additions to your Long Beach rental can be more demanding like bathrooms, bedrooms in comparison are far easier. When adding an additional bedroom you have no need for additional plumbing. The cost to add a bedroom is in the range of $15,000 to $17,500 from foundation to roof depending on the size.


Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

When you are thinking about developing an ADU in Long Beach for your rental property your first thought will probably revolve around upfront costs. The statewide median cost of an ADU is approximately $250 per square foot. While many people initially only consider adding a small unit, it is important to understand the neighborhood and market. Though this is the largest investment of the ones listed, the costs for upsizing an ADU is not exponential. Meaning you can build a larger unit and gain overall value for it.


Consider the configuration you want for your ADU because this will determine the size of the ADU. To determine what a fair, marketable rent should be, examine the cost of other rental in the area including single family homes, apartments, or townhouses.


When it comes time to add more space to your Long Beach rental property there are many choices to consider. To help you understand how adding bedrooms, bathrooms or an ADU can contribute to your monthly rental income, or how they can increase long term value to your property call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.

Share this post

Beach Rentals Need These 3 Maintenance Items Before Summer Starts

By Dustin Edwards • May 30, 2025
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections 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 .

What Is A Solar Battery and Does Your Rental Need One?

By Dustin Edwards • May 27, 2025
A Solar Battery is an important party of a solar panel system. However, is it valuable for a rental property? Read on to discover.

If You Have These 3 Things, Consider Putting Solar Panels

By Dustin Edwards • May 22, 2025
As California becomes more and more electric, the idea of installing solar panels becomes more enticing for many landlords. While the initial investment may be quite expensive, there are a few things to consider before making the decision. By keeping these factors in mind, you can greatly reduce the overall cost of installation as well as reduce your operational costs throughout the lifespan of the solar panels. Below, we’ve compiled three considerations you should keep in mind before making your decision to install solar panels on your rental property. Long Term Ownership For landlords whose plan is to own their rental property for a long period of time, a solar energy system can be a strategic investment with long-term benefits. The longer you own a solar panel system, the lower the operational costs can be for your rental property. Unlike a homeowner, who sees their return through their energy bill. A landlord sees their return through lower vacancy rates and higher lease renewals. The initial expense associated with installing solar panels can be offset over time through reduced energy costs, improved property efficiency, and adjusting your property’s rent accordingly. Tenants are quite receptive to features that lower recurring expenses, such as their electricity bill. With so many people working from home, a lower energy bill can result in an improvement in tenant satisfaction , as well as reduced vacancy and turnover rates. The use of solar panels fits well in a long-term investment strategy that focuses on keeping operational costs low and reliable while improving your rental property’s value . Stand Out From the Competition In a competitive rental market, such as in Long Beach, CA. Features such as solar panels can help your property stand out to prospective tenants. Features such as solar panels can increase a rental property’s attractiveness to many tenants, though, specifically environmentally conscious individuals and younger tenants tend to gravitate towards rentals with solar panels more. Properties that are energy efficient appeal to renters who prioritize lower utility bills and more sustainable living conditions. These features may influence a prospective tenant’s decision when choosing between rentals of similar characteristics and space. Additionally, tenants who are interested in sustainability often care for the rental and follow the rules better than others. They are also more likely to opt into lease renewals. This means that solar panels can improve your bottom line through a more consistent monthly rental income due to the reduced vacancy and turnover rates. Your Roof is in Good Shape It goes without saying that your roof needs to be in a structurally sound condition in order to install solar panels. In general, a roof is expected to have a lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years, If your roof still has over fifteen years of proper functionality, it's ideal for installing solar panels without requiring additional costs for repair. If your roof is in good condition and won't require repairs in the foreseeable future, you’re far less likely to face problems that would require you to remove the solar panels temporarily. This can be expensive, which is why it's important you don't properly inspect your roof before making the decision to install solar panels. Installing a solar system on your rental property offers measurable benefits to your bottom line in reducing your vacancies and turnover rates, as well as keeping your rental property competitive in the market. If you’re unsure if your roof is structurally sound to install solar panels 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 .
Show More