Green is good. Whether you'd call yourself an environmentalist or not, there's an undeniable beauty in recycling, solar energy and the other plethora of ways people make our planet a little healthier. This opinion has been so widely adapted that folks are looking to turn all aspects of their lifestyle a little more environmentally friendly. That includes the homes they rent.
Cal Bay Property Management's Scott Safadi advises other property managers to consider this when it comes time to make changes to your rentals. Retrofitting buildings in order to improve their energy efficiency isn't just good for the planet. By employing green technology on your property, you can go the extra mile to provide that little something extra for prospective tenants. While this little extra might look like themed decor to one tenant, almost all will agree that energy efficiency is a win for everyone. The first way to improve the efficiency of your rental? Check to ensure no air is escaping your unit. Conduct an energy audit to determine if and where any air could be leaking. Do a simple visual inspection of each room or call in the professionals for their opinion. No matter how you discover the leaks, seal and insulate them. It's relatively affordable and easy to do so, so there's really no excuse not to tackle this problem quickly. Next, consider upgrading your appliances to more energy efficient options. Chances are good that you've been meaning to update them anyway. Look for the Energy Star label to ensure peak performance. While you're at it, replace your old lightbulbs with Energy Star certified lightbulbs. Not only are they 90 percent more energy efficient than your average bulb, they also last 15 to 25 times as long. That's what we call a win win. Finally, if you've got your eye on a larger scale investment and are looking to prioritize energy efficiency, consider some big upgrades. Replace older windows and doors with insulated models. These new designs ensure very little air escapes the unit. Adding additional exterior insulation is also a bit of a commitment, but one that pays handsomely. When you add insulation like expanded polystyrene to your exteriors, you improve insulation without adding thickness to your walls. - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management
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Carpet is designed to take a beating. That's why they've been the go to flooring option in rental homes and apartments for decades. Even the most stain-proof of rug will eventually start show signs of wear and tear, though. Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management recommends taking the following steps to prevent damage to the carpet in your rental community:
Use Entryways Strategically Wear and tear often comes from mud, dirt and debris tracked in front outdoors. With that in mind, place hardwood or vinyl flooring in the entryways where folks are likely to kick off their shoes. Consider using the same flooring in your kitchen and bathroom for a cohesive look throughout the unit. Splurge on a Deep Clean Your tenants may (or may not, as the case may be) vacuum regularly, but nobody can get the job done as well as a professional. Invest in an annual deep clean to ensure the longevity of your carpet. Hire a local company to come in to clean or rent a rug cleaner from a local hardware store. Either way, the results will impress both you and your tenants. Consider Limiting Pets Fido might be man's best friend, but that doesn't mean he's great for your property's carpets. Even the most well-behaved and trained dogs and cats will have accidents on the carpet now and then. With this in mind, be sure to create a pet policy that makes sense for your community. If you're not willing to forbid pets altogether, consider charging pet rent to put towards the inevitable cost of replacing carpet. Use Color to Your Advantage It doesn't take a property management genius to know that white carpets in a rental is a bad idea. Thankfully, there are several patterns, fabrics and designs that can distract from the spills and stains of everyday life. In addition to helping camouflage stains, carpet colors can help create your community's personality. A color palette that's found throughout the property can give you a cohesive feel that's warm and inviting. You can even consider theming, like this Atari-themed apartment community in Sunnyvale. Regardless of how you decide to make carpeting last in your rental property, prioritizing cleanliness can save you real money. Consider these tips the next time you're replacing old carpeting. - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management What color are your walls? If you manage a property, chances are good, you value versatility and the ability to adapt. That's why white and beige walls have remained the most popular colors for apartment complexes everywhere. They're inoffensive and go with just about every kind of decor. Unfortunately, though, they're boring. There's no denying that a splash of paint can do wonders for a drab room. That's why so many tenants find themselves asking if they can paint their rentals. Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management recommends allowing them to do so, but with caveats:
DO ask that tenants get permission to paint first. A liberal painting policy is fine, but you should be made aware of any plans to change the colors of the walls. This will give you a chance to talk to the tenant about the color they picked, whether or not they plan to do it themselves, and allow you to remind them not to paint wood. DON'T hesitate to veto a color. Not everyone has great taste, and some colors can be downright impossible to cover up later. If someone asks for a bright orange, for example, suggest a similar tone that will be a little easier to sell to the next tenant. Keep an open mind - you never know how unexpected color palettes could come together, like this orange and black Atari-themed apartment complex in Sunnyvale. DO allow tenants to nest. There's an innate instinct in all of us to make our spaces more our own. While you might want to offer a select few color choices or limit the kinds of decor you allow on property, keep in mind that a happy tenant is one who will be more likely to stick around long-term. Of course, that doesn't mean you should allow just anything on property! But keep your expectations realistic. DON'T pay for paint out of pocket. Should a tenant want to change their wall color, they should be paying for the changes. You may want to invest in professional painters to do the job, but the paint itself should come from the tenant requesting the change, not from your budget. Regardless of how you feel about tenant decor, keeping an open mind to their requests is a great way to show you respect your residents. - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management |
AuthorScott Safadi leverages extensive experience in the real estate industry to serve as the CEO of Cal Bay Property Management (CBPM), which he founded in Palo Alto, California. Archives
January 2020
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