Cutting back on the maintenance costs associated with your investment properties leaves more money in your pocket, which is a good thing. But wholesale cutting could backfire, especially when it comes to the home’s major appliances. In these cases, it makes sense to spend a little to save a lot.
Not only will these tips cut your expenses, they also enjoy wide approval from tenants:
Losing the carpet is the first step in eliminating a recurring drain on your maintenance budget. Carpet absorbs dirt, dust and odors and it’s standard practice to have it professionally cleaned once a year or when the tenant leaves.
Instead of paying the carpet cleaners, invest that money in replacing the carpet with hard surface materials. Even low end vinyl flooring comes with a wear warranty that greatly exceeds carpeting’s. Ceramic and porcelain tiles, self-stick, laminates, painted concrete and sheet vinyl are affordable options. Each is surprisingly scratch and dent resistant, and so much easier to clean.
You’ll cut maintenance costs immediately and appeal to a broader market segment. Pets and children are less an issue with hard surface flooring, allergies are manageable, and they clean up quickly.
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Much of Jacksonville’s water is hard and no one wants to rent a home whose shower doors are covered with hard water deposits. If you can’t get away from an enclosed shower or tub altogether, swap the doors out with frosted glass doors to minimize the appearance of water spots. Your renters won’t be cleaning them daily, and you won’t be faced with a mission impossible when they vacate.
Ditch the grass and use groundcovers instead. If the neighborhood restrictions allow, take out as much lawn as possible and replace it with vegetation that doesn’t use as much food and water or require mowing.
You can also create a xeriscape landscape using native Florida plants and a rock ground cover. Using native plants cuts down on water use and minimizes pruning.
Better yet, let an experienced property management company that knows your market well handle all of the details for you so you can rest easy that your property will be up to date, well-maintained, and competitive with other rentals close by.
Read more 3 Ways JWB is Reducing Maintenance and Vacancy Costs for Its Owners
JWB has helped over 400 investors for over 10 years earn passive income and above average returns on their turnkey rental property investments. Learn more about how JWB can help you!