Florida rental owners who are hoping to rent out their properties fast can benefit by staging their rentals. In fact, many property management professionals agree that home staging is as important for homes for rent as it is for homes for sale. It allows you to make a powerful first impression with tenants, as well as show them the true potential of the home. Furthermore, it’s one way to show them that your property is superior to comparable properties.
When done the right way, it draws people to your property so that it doesn’t sit vacant for an extended period of time. Keep in mind that a vacant property is a wallet-draining property, so it’s in your best interest to find tenants ASAP! In this article, we’ve put together a few tips on how to stage your South Florida rental property so you can fill your vacancies fast.
Rental Staging Tip #1: Remove Everything That’s Too “You”
This tip applies if you’re renting out a property you once lived in. When potential tenants go to your rental showing, you should be able to make them feel at home. With that said, your rental should be staged in a way that allows the tenant to view it as theirs. If it’s filled with personal property (e.g. framed family portraits), they’ll have a hard time believing that it’s vacant. Plus, since it’s too “you”, your prospective tenants won’t be able to picture themselves as its occupants.
Remember to remove items that indicate that the home was once inhabited by either you or other tenants. Only take pictures of the property once you’ve gotten rid of everything that takes away from the property’s neutralness.
Pro Tip: If you’re moving out of your home to rent it out, you can secure the services of a rental management firm. They can help you empty out your home so that it’s renter-ready.
Rental Staging Tip #2: Use Neutral Colors
You can’t go wrong with neutral colors. Properties with a neutral palette tend to attract more people than ones with bold, bright colors. Neutral colors are not overwhelming, allowing the tenant to picture their own decor in the space. In short, it creates a versatile canvas they can work with. If your property’s interior is too taste-specific, your potential tenants won’t be able to see past it.
In addition, neutral colors create the illusion of more space in your rental property. A home that has plenty of space appeals to most tenants, particularly in markets where space is limited such as Downtown Miami.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add color to your rental. You can play around with a more colorful palette but do so in moderation. For instance, you could add colorful pillows, wall art, etc. as long as you’re strategic with your decor.
When you partner with a rental management company, you’ll have everything you need to stage your property in a way that suits your target tenants’ tastes. Companies such as Luxury Property Care are experts at property staging and can help you choose furniture, decor, etc. that pairs flawlessly with your palette.
Rental Staging Tip #3: Deep Clean the Property
Even if you’re renting out an old property, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put any effort into its presentation. Your tenants still want to see a well-maintained home – after all, who would want to move into an old and dirty unit?
If you previously rented out your property, your tenants may not have done a satisfactory job of cleaning it upon move-out. In that case, you must get rid of all “signs of life” such as personal items, and conduct a deep clean to create a feeling of newness. Floors should be free from any scuff marks, carpets shouldn’t be stained, and windows should be shiny.
It’s worth partnering with a professional rental management company when preparing your property for renters. Rental management companies have a vast network of professional cleaning companies that will make sure your home is spotless.
Rental Staging Tip #4: Get Rid of Bad Odors
Rentals that have been on the market for far too long tend to have a noticeable odor. In that case, you must make sure the home smells clean, otherwise, your potential tenants will run in the other direction.
It’s also worth mentioning that if your past tenant smoked on the property, you’ll have to do more than do a deep clean. Smoke tends to stick to surfaces, so you’ll probably need to repaint the walls and buy brand-new carpets. For that reason, it would be a good idea to add a no-smoking clause to your rental contract.
Rental Staging Tip #5: Boost Curb Appeal
What will potential tenants first see when they show up? The exterior. If you let the landscaping run wild or if the side of the home is starting to peel, your tenants will set their standards extremely low the moment they pull up the driveway. When they walk into the home, they won’t be excited – instead, they’ll be more keen-eyed and will be on the lookout for other indicators of wear and tear.
Take the time to mow the lawn, repaint the walls, remove the weeds, and so on. Curb appeal plays an important role in your tenant’s first impression, so pull out all of the stops.
Rental Staging Tip #6: Emphasize Selling Points
Does your home have one-of-a-kind features that you want to draw attention to? Perhaps your property comes with a well-decorated lawn, an indoor pool, or a postcard-worthy view. Whatever it is, you should take the opportunity to show it off. This is particularly true if you’re marketing your rental to VIP tenants who are drawn to properties with unique features.
Rent Out Your Home With the Help of a Rental Management Company
When you partner with the professionals at Luxury Property Care, you can expect to receive top property preparation services. With us by your side, your rental will be so desirable that all your potential tenants will be lining up to sign your lease. Call us at (561) 944 – 2992 to learn more about our property marketing tactics, or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.
