Fix up your home to rent it quickly.
You need to strike a balance when preparing your house to be rented. You want to make it as attractive as possible to potential renters while keeping your investment in fixing up the house low. You'll want to choose materials that are known for being durable and inexpensive to replace.
You'll also need to present the house in the best possible light. Anyone who will rent a rundown property is a renter you probably don't want to hassle with. Attract potential renters with high standards by fixing up your house in a manner that shows you care about your property and will work to maintain it.
Instructions
Fixing Up Your House
1. Give your house a deep cleaning.
Clean your house thoroughly. Disinfect the refrigerator by cleaning it and then wiping it down with a product containing bleach. Clean the stove and oven until they sparkle. Clean and polish fixtures in the bathroom until they are gleaming. Renew wood floors by removing any wax buildup or stains.
2. Paint rooms neural colors.
Paint the interior rooms in your house. Realtor.com recommends using neutral colors, such as off-white and beige. This will give your home a new appearance and save you the trouble of removing scuff marks and other spots from walls. Before painting, fill in nail holes and repair any plasterboard damage. Never leave rooms painted bright colors. While you may be enchanted by your lime-green bedroom, many potential renters will think differently.
3. Replace stained carpet to give the house a new look.
Replace old linoleum and carpet. Consider replacing carpet with tile. Even though tile is more expensive in the short term, it will last longer than the carpet, and you will not have to spend money cleaning or replacing it between tenants.
4. Make sure your faucets are drip-free.
Complete minor repairs such as replacing knobs on cabinets and fixing dripping faucets. These inexpensive improvements will go a long way toward making your house appear comfortable and livable.
5. Good curb appeal is essential.
Rent a pressure washer and clean the driveway, porch and the house itself. This is the least expensive thing you can do to give your house a fresh look short of painting the exterior. While you're working on the outside, trim hedges and keep the grass cut. Planting a few flowers in beds can also help give your house curb appeal.
6. A cluttered house will be more difficult to rent.
Remove as much of your furniture and personal items as possible. You'll want renters to be able to imagine themselves living in the house with their own items. The things you keep in the house should be kept very clean and orderly. You will be subtly letting prospective renters know what your standards are. If renters see a house that is cluttered and not well kept-up, they may believe that you will not be bothered by minor damage to your property.
7. Your house should smell great before attempting to rent it.
Ask a friend to evaluate your home for you. She may notice if there are any unusual smells or if the steps are creaky---things that you may have become accustomed to and therefore have not noticed. Anything your friend notices, prospective renters are likely to notice as well.
Renting your House
8. Advertise your house in a variety of ways.
Place advertisements for your house in newspapers, online and in local rental publications. Place a sign in your yard with your phone number. Use your social networks to let people know that you have a house for rent. Word of mouth can be very effective.
9. Don't hand over the key until you have checked references.
Obtain a standard lease from your state and be diligent about checking the credit of the applicants. Also check references thoroughly. References should be from prior landlords. Check with at least two previous landlords before renting the house to prospective renters.
10. Be prepared to keep your property maintained.
Line up reliable plumbers, electricians and other maintenance people so that you can address issues that arise with your property quickly. Set money aside in an account so that you will be prepared for any home repair emergencies.
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