As a landlord, you might have numerous requirements for your future tenants, and you might have a rigorous selection process, but keep in mind that the tenants are nowadays scrutinizing rental properties from top to bottom – they won’t settle for anything less than the best.
Of course, the kitchen is one of those rooms that can attract long-term tenants or drive them away for good, which is why you should tend to some basic upgrades that will put your rental on the map. Here’s how you can up the value of the property.
Start with the cabinets
The cabinets are one of the most important elements that will shape their initial impression of the space. You can choose to simply reface them and install new hardware and hinges in order to avoid tearing them out and investing in new ones, which can allow you to allocate resources towards new space-saving appliances (more on that in a bit), or a new floor.
That said, if the cabinets are old and worn out, if they are rotting or if there is mold, water damage, or a pest infestation, then you must replace the cabinetry completely. When you’ve decided whether to replace or reface the cabinets, you can choose the color scheme. Typically, an all-white color approach works best, because it helps make a small room feel capacious, and it sets a neutral foundation for the rest of the décor.
Invest in quality countertops
When it comes to countertops, there can be no compromise. Not only does a kitchen countertop have to be durable and long-lasting, but it also needs to boast a beautiful finish that will attract the attention of the observer and portray the entire kitchen in the best possible light.
Simply put, countertops can also make or break your chances of renting out your property, and sprucing them up is a great way to modernize the apartment, so don’t skip this step.
Now, if the countertops are looking good as is, then just check if they need to be refinished or if there are any cracks and chips that you need to fix. If they are worn out and outdated, then you have a whole host of options, particularly now that the cost of durable quartz countertops has gone down. Manufacturers are making quartz countertops in a wide array of aesthetic finishes as well, so you can match the design with the rest of the room, or make it stand out as a focal point.
Make it as functional as possible
One of the most important upgrades that you can make in your kitchen is to make the space as functional as possible, but without breaking the aesthetics or the ambiance. The functionality of living is what the young generations of renters are looking for nowadays, which is why landlords in particularly competitive areas like Australia are making their kitchens more functional with some smart solutions, so take note.
With the use of platforms like Kaboodle in Australia, among others right here in the U.S., landlords typically design and decorate the kitchen themselves in order to create a balance between functionality and cost savings. These platforms allow them to design their kitchens using innovative tools and features, and then install everything themselves easily in order to reduce costs. Following the same mindset, consider using such a tool yourself when you’re reimagining your kitchen area, and leverage its features to design every décor element just right.
Upgrade your appliances
In order to make the kitchen as functional as possible and to optimize it for the new generation of tenants, you have to make the property as energy-efficient as possible. This is one of the main reasons why you would want to upgrade old appliances and switch them out for the newer, smarter models. Look for the energy star rating and be sure to compare the price tag to their long-term energy-saving potential.
Don’t forget about the floor
Last but not least, consider how the kitchen floor can impact the long-term value of your property, as well as its value in the eyes of your potential tenants. Most importantly, check if the floors are up-to-code and if they are still safe for everyday use – because you could be looking at a lawsuit if a tenant slips and falls because of your worn-out floor. Be sure to refinish the floor to give it back its aesthetic appeal, and consider adding an anti-slip coating for good measure.
Uneven floors or sloping floors can be a sign of foundation failure. This often happens right at expansion joints in concrete slabs. This is an issue that few homeowners take into consideration. Eventually, it becomes a major problem and tripping hazard that usually costs a lot to fix. No matter what causes your foundation to settle, it is a problem that should be taken care of as soon as possible, contact a foundation repair expert right away.
When you spruce up the kitchen, you are effectively sprucing up the look and feel of the entire interior.
Be sure to tend to these basic upgrades, make the space as functional as you can, and you will have no problem attracting the best tenants to your property.
