Preparing your Berkeley rental property for a new tenant can take just a few days or more than a month. It depends on the condition your prior tenant left the property in when they vacated.
They key is to work quickly. You don’t want the turnover process to take too long. It delays your rental income and costs you out-of-pocket for things like utilities.
Clean and Fix Up the Inside of Your Berkeley Rental Home
Preparing for a new tenant requires the same attention to detail that you provided when you were first preparing your property for the Berkeley rental market. Everything in your property needs to work. Check every outlet, turn on every faucet and sink, and flush each toilet.
Run the heat and the air conditioning, and turn on the appliances. Check every window and door to ensure the locks work. Change the air filter and any light bulbs that are burnt out. Everything needs to be functional and safe before you put the property on the market again.
Turnover Times Invite Upgrades and Updates
When you have a well-maintained home in a good neighborhood, you rarely have to renovate it.
However, when one tenant has moved out and you’re preparing to put it on the rental market again for a new tenant, it’s a good opportunity to make a few minor upgrades. Simple things like a fresh coat of paint or updated lighting can make a big difference. Even new hardware on the kitchen cabinets and drawers can make your property look modern and pretty. Consider making these small changes to attract the best local tenants.
You want to stay competitive, and if your prior tenants had lived in the home for more than a few years, there may be appliances that are getting older and floors that are stained or scratched. Make the home look modern and improved for your new residents.
Cleaning Your Berkeley Rental Property Professionally
Hire professional cleaners to come in and thoroughly clean your Berkeley rental property from top to bottom before you put it back on the market. You want to have the floors waxed or steam-cleaned, depending on whether they’re carpet or hard surface. The kitchens and bathrooms should shine, and have your cleaners pay attention to every minor detail.
Dust the ceiling fans, wipe down the baseboards, and pull the appliances away from walls to sweep and dust behind them. When you provide a perfectly clean home, tenants will be eager to move in, and they’ll also know you have high standards of cleanliness when it’s time to return the property at the end of the lease term.
Curb Appeal and Berkeley Rental Property
When prospective tenants drive up or walk up to your property, they need to see a home that’s well-maintained, attractive, and inviting. If you’re renting out a single-family home, make sure the lawn has been cut, the bushes are trimmed, and yard has been cleaned up. There shouldn’t be any debris, bent window blinds, or cobwebs on the front door. Clean up the trash bins and sweep the front walkway. Make sure the driveway or walkway is free of twigs, branches, and personal items.
If you’re renting out a unit in a multi-family building, you want to be sure that the exterior is bright, clean, and easily identifiable. Take a look at the common areas and make sure they’re clean and inviting.
When you’re preparing to rent your Berkeley property to new tenants, make sure it’s ready to stand apart from all the other homes on the market. We can help if you’d like some professional Berkeley property management advice. Contact us at California Pacific Realty.
