Winter isn’t a bad time to offer your rental property to prospective tenants. However, you might have to work a little harder to make the unit appear warm, cozy, and inviting enough to counter the dreariness that comes with the season.
Don’t worry though; we’ve gathered a few insights on how to make your rental property appealing during cold weather. Here’s what you need to do:
Consider Snow Removal
Snow is among the biggest nuisances when it comes to both showing your property and taking photos to post your rental property online. For this reason, you must make sure walkways are clear for prospective tenants. If these walkways form icy spots, sprinkle sand or rock salt around them so that visitors don’t slip and get hurt. Click here to request a free snow removal quote from Property Manager Insider’s BidSource team.
Make Sure Everything Is Squeaky Clean
Granted, winter makes maintenance a tough job but don’t let that come in the way of making your rental unit look perfectly ready for the move. This includes:
- Removing dust or cobwebs
- Decluttering cabinets and closets
- Scrubbing and cleaning all surfaces
- Removing carpet stains
If it helps, you can also hire a professional cleaning service for a deep clean every few weeks. Don’t mind the additional expense because it’ll be worth it once you have found a suitable tenant. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering to have your rental property professionally disinfected and sanitized before new tenants move in is another good idea. This will give them peace of mind that the property is clean following rental showings.
Illuminate Rooms With Natural Light
If there is one thing we all yearn for in winter is consistent sunshine, and your prospective tenants would wish for the same. If your rental unit doesn’t offer the best view from its windows, close the curtains and blinds. Instead, switch on the lights in your attic, basement, closet, and rooms. If there is a dark corner in any room, use accent lighting or spotlights to brighten up the area.
Keep Each Unit Warm
Most people prefer to keep their thermostat set at 72 degrees in the winter, while others bring it down to 65 because they prefer a cooler home. However, if you’re expecting a visit from potential tenants, you wouldn’t want it to be too cold or too hot. A more comfortable temperature would be between 68 and 70 degrees.
Make Sure Your Rental Unit Smells Good
Stong aromas and musty smells aren’t uncommon during the winter months, especially if your rental unit has been vacant for some time now. Don’t just use perfumed sprays or scented candles to replace the strong aromas. If you could, try to simmer spiced cider on the stove to produce the most winter-appropriate aromas. If you do go with scented candles, you can’t go wrong with these 22 that come recommended by The Oprah Magazine.
Add a Few Inviting and Cozy Touches
The winter months are all about cozy fires and soft and fuzzy blankets. You need to build a vibe that would make your tenants imagine themselves curling up in a corner and enjoying a good book. Add these simple touches to your home to entice tenants:
- Lay out a few holiday decorations but don’t overdo it
- Add a nice reading nook in a corner with a side table, a chair, and a few books
- Position furniture in a manner that complements your rental unit
Final Words
All of these tips may seem like they won’t have any effect on your rental property, but you will be surprised at how powerful they can be in countering the dreariness of winter. Of course, if you can’t escape from your daily schedule to implement all of the above, you can always delegate them to your property manager.
If you haven’t hired a property manager already, click here to learn more about our services and how an experienced property manager can share some of your burdens.
Article URL: https://www.propertymanagerinsider.com/how-to-rent-your-rental-property-in-the-dead-of-winter/
