Some Advice On Renting Out Your House
Have you moved out of your old house and into a new one, but still own the old one? If that’s your situation you are fortunate, because it means you can rent out that old house and add some wealth to your wallet! Sure, you could always just sell it, but maybe it has nostalgic value from being in the family for decades, or maybe it’s not a good real estate market right now and you are better off just keeping it. In any case, there’s no sense in letting it just sit empty, in fact, that’s been proven to age houses prematurely since daily maintenance tends to fall by the wayside. There are a lot of people looking to rent a place to live these days, so it’s a good time to become a landlord.
If you decide that renting out your house is a good choice for you, be sure to get in touch with the friendly folks at Schwarz real estate. Their expert staff can guide you through every step of the renting process, from preparing your property to finding viable tenants, and even managing the property on an ongoing basis so you don’t have to lift a finger, just watch that rent fill your bank account with much-welcomed income every month! Here are some steps to help prepare your house to become a rental.
The first thing you should do is to have the house inspected. Make a pass yourself first, with an eye for any obvious damage. Flickering lights, running toilets, leaky faucets, scratched flooring, etc. Then have a professional inspector visit to give you a more thorough assessment, they are likely to find problems you may have missed and provide you with solutions to make sure your future tenants stay safe and happy.
Next up is to test any appliances you plan to leave in place for the renters. Check that the stove, fridge, and washer and dryer are all in good working order. If there is a problem, contact a handyman, it may be less expensive to have the item repaired than to replace it.
Now it’s time for a deep clean. It’s imperative that you hit every nook and cranny: floors, ceilings, walls, carpets, kitchen tiles, bathroom fixtures, and any and all surfaces need to be spotless, so break out that elbow grease!
Once the place is spic and span, give it a fresh new coat of paint. This goes a long way to making an old house feel new and will make it much more attractive to would-be tenants. You could DIY it, but it’s best to hire a professional painter to ensure your future rental looks its very best.
Another important step is to tidy up the garden. Freshly mowed grass, pruned trees, and fragrant flowers are sure to attract bees and renters!
Check with your local government regarding any legal responsibilities, including taxes on your rental income. We wish you success renting out your old home, landlord!
