Landlord DIY Projects to Add Value to Their House
Whether you want to make your property more appealing to tenants or maximise rental income and have the ability to sell your property portfolio quickly, few landlords would turn down the opportunity to add value to their buy-to-let homes.
While professional renovations can prove costly, there are also a number of DIY projects that you can complete yourself to enhance the appeal of your home without forking out too much money. In this article, we will walk you through some of the best DIY projects for landlords to add value to their houses illustrated by the latest industry research.
1. Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to quickly spruce up your property. Neutral tones such as white, beige and light grey can make rooms look larger and brighter, and more inviting to a prospective buyer.
Tips for Success:
Preparation: Properly prepare surfaces by cleaning and sanding them before painting.
Quality Paint: Invest in high-quality paint for a professional finish that lasts longer.
Neutral Palette: Stick to neutral colours to appeal to a broader range of tenants.
2. Upgrading the Kitchen
Kitchens are always the prospective tenant’s favourite room, and minor upgrades can be the difference between ‘Oh, yeah, we’ll totally take it,’ or ‘Let me see what else is out there.’ Surprisingly, replacing the old cabinet doors and hardware with something more modern can make a huge difference, as can updating the countertops to granite, laminate or something other than granite. Base cabinets can be painted with an easy-to-touch-up paint.
A fresh coat of paint and a little bit of ‘curb appeal’ can help get things rolling. Even a few minutes of work can liven up a kitchen faucet by replacing the old sprayer head with a fancy modern one, or replacing kitchen lights with something that’s in style that year. Putting in a new backsplash and switching to energy-efficient appliances can set the kitchen apart.
Tips for Success:
DIY-Friendly Upgrades: Opt for DIY-friendly projects such as painting cabinets or installing peel-and-stick backsplashes.
Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency! New windows, flooring, insulation – all green upgrades. All can help you attract eco-conscious tenants.
3. Bathroom Improvements
Secondly, bathrooms are the area where you are most likely to make your money back. You can often make your property more appealing for a tenant by re-grouting a tired looking bathroom with tiles, adding storage to a dated bathroom with shelving, or adding a bit of bling with a new vanity. Think about some useful storage under the basin, perhaps even a glitzy medicine cabinet.
Tips for Success:
Attention on FixturedresSwap outdated, drip-prone taps and showerheads for WaterSense-certified water-saving ones.Replant bulbs and tubes for energy-saving LED lights.
Clean and bright: clean and bright bathroom with globes with light globes helps making the most out of the existing space.
4. Enhancing Curb Appeal
You only have one chance to make a first impression and by letting the curb appeal improve so that the exterior looks better, you increase your chances to find tenants. You can mow the lawn, trim the hedges, plant some flowers, and repaint the front door, just keeping in mind that you have only one chance to make a first impression.
Tips for Success:
Low-Maintenance Plants: Choose low-maintenance plants that are easy to care for.
Front Yard: Clean and tidy. Do not place anything on the unit or the common area.
5. Installing New Flooring
Worn-out carpets or outdated flooring can make your property feel unappealing. Replace tired flooring with a laminate or vinyl option or – even better – hardwood. These flooring solutions are modern, durable and easy to keep clean, all of which are positive qualities for rental properties.
Tips for Success:
Durability: Opt for durable, low-maintenance flooring options that can withstand heavy use.
Professional Finish: Ensure proper installation for a professional finish that enhances the property’s value.
Painting the interior and exterior of a property, improving the kitchen and bathroom, increasing the curb appeal, and refinishing flooring are all great DIY projects to consider, and help the rental property stand out.
If a landlord handles the renovation of the property and chooses to go the DIY route, it can be more budget-friendly. Being a little creative can get you a long way in attracting high-quality tenants. Just make sure your DIY projects are well-thought-out and executed to maintain a high-quality look. You don’t have to be the baddest landlord on the block for your rentals to stand out.
