Budget Upgrades For Your Rental Home

Invest in a New Front Door

When it comes to selecting a new front door, there are many different options and trends. A great front door boosts your home's curb appeal, giving it a solid first impression. There are a variety of colors, materials, and features to choose from. Pay attention to energy efficiency ratings,  what fits with your home's design and your climate. The average cost recouped is about 79% here in the Seattle area.

Update Lighting Fixtures

Updating lighting fixtures in your rental property will be ideal before tenants start touring. Lighting can really impact first impressions, whether it's through the photos of your home when listed or when a prospective renter is viewing it in person. A few modern fixtures can really create the right ambiance in your home. Additionally, we recommend swapping out old incandescent light bulbs with LEDs to reduce energy costs.

Add Window Trim or Replace Blinds

Enhancing some of the windows in your home will be especially important if the current blinds look dated and worn out. Adding trim or moulding around the windows will make the area pop and will be visually appealing. Additionally, replacing the blinds with curtains can help frame and soften an area.  An alternative to typical blinds is cordless blinds, which are more durable and easier to use than standard cord blinds. They’re also safer for young children.

Purchase New or Newer Appliances

A microwave, refrigerator, stovetop, and oven are commonly found in rental homes. While you don’t need to buy the latest models of every appliance, they should function well.  Investing in a new refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer and/or dryer, or purchasing newer refurbished appliances will attract prospective tenants and build confidence with them.

Repaint Cabinets and Upgrade Hardware

Repainting your kitchen cabinets and switching out the hardware will make your home look more modern. And, this minor kitchen remodel can be a fun DIY project. You’ll have to disassemble the cabinets and remove old hardware. Then you’ll need to clean and sand all surfaces to help the paint stick. Once painted and dried, you can install new hardware. The average cost recouped on a minor kitchen remodel is about 87% in the Seattle area.

Replace Flooring

If your current carpet is heavily damaged, you may want to consider replacing the carpet altogether. Taking this a step further, consider investing in hardwood flooring because it's more durable and easier to clean.  An excellent alternative to hardwood flooring is vinyl flooring, which can be used in kitchens and bathrooms. Installing vinyl flooring will cost about $2.50 - $5.00 per square foot compared to $6 - $12 per square foot for hardwood flooring.