When you partner with Rent Robin LLC for your Kansas City property management needs, the process of making your property ready for the rental market is pretty easy: we take care of all those details for you. If you’re a new landlord not sure about how to get started, we’re providing some tips and steps for you today, with the encouragement that you seek help as soon as you run into questions. Trying to fix a problem after the fact is always more complicated, frustrating, and expensive than avoiding the mistake altogether.
Here’s how to prepare your property for rent in Kansas City. We prioritize efficiency, ease, and of course - profitability.
Understand Your Responsibilities
There will be a few logistical to-do items before you start listing your home and looking for tenants. Before anything else, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the legal responsibilities you have as a landlord. This includes understanding fair housing laws, safety regulations, and tenant rights. Knowledge in these areas will help you avoid legal pitfalls and avoid costly mistakes. When you understand your responsibilities as a landlord and the responsibilities your tenants will have as residents, you’re also in better shape to create a positive landlord-tenant relationship.
Clean Out the Property
Whether you’ve inherited a property, invested in one, or you’re renting out a home you once lived in, you’ll need to start with a clean slate.
The new tenants you’re trying to attract do not want to see old furniture left behind. They won’t want to see drifting clutter or any personal belongings throughout the property they’re thinking about renting. Everything should be cleaned out of the property so that it’s empty and your prospective tenants can imagine moving their own furniture and personal belongings into the home.
Check-in common places that things are left behind or forgotten. Clear out any old condiments in the door of the refrigerator. Remove bowls and plates that could be lingering in the dishwasher. Check the linen closets for old towels and look under the sinks for cleaning supplies.
Removing all personal items, clutter, and unnecessary objects is an important first step to getting the property rent-ready.
Attend to Maintenance Needs and Consider Upgrades
Once it’s cleaned out, you’ll want to assess the condition of your rental property and even potentially make some improvements. Conduct a thorough inspection of your property. Identify areas that need repair or improvement. Consider the following:
Structural Repairs. Ensure the foundation, roof, and any other structural elements are in good condition. If you invested in the property knowing that upgrades and renovations would be necessary, you are likely ready for this. At Rent Robin LLC, we maintain a separate team of vendors and contractors who we are happy to dispatch to your property to help with maintenance issues and renovations.
Safety Features. Install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and ensure all locks and windows are secure. You’ll want to be sure those doors and windows open, close, and lock without issue.
Habitability Issues. Check that plumbing, heating, and electrical systems are functioning properly. You do not have to provide utilities for your tenants, but you do have to ensure they have access to hot water, heat, and electricity.
The repairs have to be made because you’re responsible for providing a safe and habitable living environment for your tenants. Upgrades and renovations are optional, but we often recommend them to landlords who are ready to rent out a property for the first time. Investing in updates not only makes your property more appealing but can also justify higher rent rates.
The rental market in Kansas City and throughout Cass County is competitive. Tenants are looking for attractive and modern homes that are well-maintained. That requires more than the basic repairs.
To get your property rent-ready, you need to consider making some improvements. You don’t have to invest in a full renovation but as you’re preparing your rental home for the market, invest in some fresh paint. Install new carpet if the existing carpet is stained or torn. Better yet, put in new hard surface flooring. Tenants will appreciate it, the floors will look better, and you won’t have to replace them as often as carpet.
These things go a step further than simply getting the property ready to rent. It shows tenants that you want them to love your home. It invites them to choose your property over the competition. It also ensures high quality renters are applying to live in your home.
Create Some Curb Appeal for Kansas City Rental Homes
Prospective tenants who drive up or walk by your property will want to see a rental home that’s well-maintained, attractive, and welcoming. If you’re renting out a single-family home, make sure the lawn has been cut, the bushes are trimmed, and the yard has been cleaned up. You don’t want to show off broken window blinds, debris, and cobwebs on the front door.
Consider arranging a pot of fresh flowers in front of the property. Put the trash bins in the garage and take the time to sweep the front walkway. When you’re renting out homes in a building that has three or four units, make sure the exterior is bright and clean and the parking area is clean and clear. Pay attention to the entry and any common areas.
Set a Competitive Rent Price
Once the property is looking good, you have to start thinking about your listing. This starts you’re your rental price. Research the local rental market to determine a fair and competitive price for your property. Factors to consider include:
Location. Properties in desirable neighborhoods or close to conveniences like shops and restaurants are always going to bring in higher rents than those rentals that are in remote areas.
Property Condition. Your rental home needs to be in the best possible condition to price the property for profit. Size and features will count, too. Larger spaces or properties with modern features can attract higher rental rates. A yard or dedicated parking will make a difference in what you charge. In-unit laundry brings in more rent, too.
Stay updated on market fluctuations in your neighborhood to ensure your pricing remains competitive. The most accurate and up-to-date data can be found with your Kansas City property manager. At Rent Robin LLC we are constantly studying the marketing and analyzing the data and insights we collect about rental values, competing properties, and tenant demands. We can help you settle on the right rental price.
Market Your Property
Effectively marketing your property is an important step in renting it out to the right tenant.
Create an attention-grabbing listing. Prospective tenants are scrolling through dozens of online rental ads at a time; you need to give them a reason to stop on yours. Make sure you have fantastic photos, and potentially a video. Include all the details that are attractive about your home, and make sure you’ve included your contact information and instructions on how to schedule a showing.
Utilize online platforms for your listing, and don’t forget to post on social media sites for additional visibility. You want to reach a broad audience, and you have to be responsive when people begin to get in touch with questions.
Kansas City Property Management
Why should you partner with a property manager in Kansas City to ensure your property is ready for the rental market?
The quick answer is that it saves you a lot of time and a lot of money. It also delivers a level of expertise that can have an impact on what kind of tenants you attract and how much rent you earn.
At Rent Robin LLC, we have access to resources, technology, and tools that independent landlords cannot access themselves. As a first-time landlord, you are especially positioned to benefit from the experience and the systems that we can provide. By working with us before renting out your property for the first time, you can count on:
Accurate data that ensures your rental price is profitable, competitive, and correct.
A team of dedicated maintenance professionals will give your property the attention it needs at the most competitive rates.
An understanding of what will make your property’s rental value go up, whether it’s better landscaping or new appliances.
Immediate responsiveness, whether it’s sharing information with you about showings or responding to a question from an applicant who wants to live in your home.
We screen tenants carefully, we create lease agreements that are compliant and enforceable, and we make sure that you and your property are set up for a pleasant and profitable rental experience.
Getting your property rent-ready can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re doing it for the first time. It doesn’t have to be confusing, and it doesn’t have to be costly. Please contact us at Rent Robin LLC. We manage rental homes in Kansas City and throughout Cass County.
