Owning a long-term rental in South Roanoke can be a profitable and enjoyable experience. However, if you want to keep the property profitable, you’ll need to start planning various property improvements and renovations from day one. Keeping the property in good condition means periodically updating the kitchen, bathrooms, floors, and exterior. How often should you renovate?
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any house, rental, or otherwise. Most kitchens see constant use, whether tenants are simply cooking a meal or using it as a gathering space for friends and family. If you have taken action to do regular maintenance on your kitchen cabinets, floors, countertops, and appliances, the chances are that your rental property’s kitchen will stay in good condition anywhere between 10 and 15 years.
Nonetheless, each situation is unique, and you might need to complete upgrades more frequently than that. Appliances are typically built to last about seven years, while cabinets and countertops might hold up a little longer. Simply replacing each element as it starts to look outdated or break down is one approach, or you could lay out a timeline for upgrades to better control the expense.
However, it’s important to consider how your future tenants may respond to current trends in style and décor. A kitchen with a trendy look may attract tenants in the short term, but that attractiveness may soon subside. Alternatively, experts recommend choosing colors and durable materials that feel both up-to-date and timeless.
Bathrooms are another heavily used area in your rental house that will require regular updates. Many of the same methods of making a sturdy, appealing kitchen can be applied to a bathroom as well. Good quality, mid-grade fixtures, and materials will hold up better in a rental home than elegant, more costly items. Things like faucets and showerheads will need to be replaced every few years, although a high-quality toilet can last several decades or more. If your rental’s bathrooms don’t already have durable, easy-to-clean tile or solid surfaces in and around the bathtub, shower, and so on, consider planning to upgrade to prevent mold and water damage and to have the bathroom remain in perfect condition.
Flooring is another aspect of a rental house that must be replaced often. Laminate or vinyl flooring in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas will typically last anywhere between 15 and 30 years, while heavy wear can have a huge effect on this period. On the other side, the carpet in a rental home has a useful life of about five years. Although the carpet in your rental may last longer than that, it is also possible that it will need to be replaced even more frequently. Still, five years is a good rule of thumb to start with and then add a new one as required.
Finally, several houses will need the exteriors updated regularly as well. If your rental property has stucco or painted wood exterior, you will need to check the condition of the paint regularly to recognize when you need to repair it. Many outstanding paint jobs on both wood and stucco will last around seven to 10 years, though the frequency varies depending on your climate. Vinyl siding and stone will last much longer with regular cleaning and may possibly not have to be replaced for at least 25 years or more as long as there is no noticeable damage.
Updating your rental home is a major aspect of owning a profitable property. If you can afford to spend a little time to plan and budget for different upgrades every few years, you can keep your cash flows steady and your investment increasing in value.
Whether you own a newly renovated rental property or need some guidance on how to update it, the South Roanoke property managers at Real Property Management Colonial have your solution. You can contact us online or call us at 540-595-7411 for further information.
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