To keep your rental property raking in the kind of income that you want, you need to renovate with quality, durable materials that will keep maintenance costs low. With the right materials, you won’t have to spend too much money on repairs even if your tenant doesn’t take great care of your property.  

The right durable materials will make turnover maintenance a cinch and will look great over time without costing you too much money.  

Here are a few tips for making logical, quality upgrades that will withstand the test of time:

Install Practical Exterior Features

The first thing anyone sees of your property will be the exterior, so start here for durable maintenance hacks. 

• Landscape with Evergreens

  Keeping your curb appeal up is essential, but you don’t want to spend much in landscaping and labor on your rental. That’s why installing durable flora is a must, if you’re installing plants at all. Climate allowing, plant evergreen bushes and trees to keep your property looking natural and lively at all times of the year. These additions to your yard will not require much in terms of maintenance – a little watering and trimming every now and then will suffice.

• Install Gutter Guards

  Then, protect your gutters by installing gutter guards. These necessary external additions to your property will save you a lot of time and energy on maintenance by keeping larger debris like leaves and twigs out of your gutters. In addition, the lack of clogged gutters will protect your roof and walls from water damage that can cost a lot in extensive repairs.

  Investing in gutter guards just makes sense: you won’t need to go out to clean the gutters for your tenant every few months or risk the liability of your tenants doing it themselves. Plus, you minimize the risk of expensive structural damages.

Renovate your Interior with Durable Materials

Keeping the inside of your property looking fresh and new even after multiple tenants comes down to the materials you use. Here’s are some tips for long-lasting interiors:

• Upgrade to Durable Flooring Alternatives

  Carpet wears quickly and may need to be replaced at each tenant turnover. This can get expensive and should not be your first choice in a rental property.

Similarly, hardwood flooring is expensive and needs to be well taken care of. You want to find alternatives for your rental that provide a similar quality of style without breaking the bank.

That’s why you should consider options like tile, laminate, or vinyl. These options vary in price but all of them will be cheaper than wood and more durable than carpet. Plus, the varieties in texture and style will allow you to craft an elegant look you and your tenants will love. The right flooring will also boost your property values, making these alternatives a worthy and low-maintenance investment. 

Paint with Low-Maintenance Finishes

Want to limit the amount of repainting you do at each tenant turnover? Using the right type of paint finish is essential in minimizing the amount of labor and money you put in to painting and touch-ups. 

For any rental, you are going to want to go with semi-gloss and satin paint types. These are much less porous than a flat finish and will allow you and your tenants to easily clean splatters and markings. 

Install Protective Amenities

There are other small additions to your property you can make to increase its durability and decrease the maintenance, labor, and costs associated with upkeep. 

• First, don’t underestimate the power of door stoppers. These small, odd-looking noise makers can be extremely effective at preventing damages to dry wall. For a few dollars, you can save so much more in preventative dry wall maintenance. 

• Next, avoid spending money on luxury blinds. You’re not going to find blinds that have the kind of durability to last multiple tenants, so this is one instance in which the cheaper, less-durable option is actually better. If you’re going to have to replace them anyway, you might as well spend less. 

Renovating with Durable Materials Means Higher Profits.

If you’ve successfully upgraded your rental property with durable materials, you will save time and money on maintenance—which means you will see higher returns on your investment. The best part of this is that you don’t even have to spend a lot to give your property the kind of low-maintenance longevity it needs to effectively turn a profit. Follow these simple tips for maximizing your rental income.

For more information on rental remodels and maximizing your returns, contact 208.properties today.