How to Remodel Your Home for Renters

Renters comprise more than 44 million people, or roughly 35.9% of all households. With the housing market steadily continuing to climb and the rental market becoming increasingly competitive, more homeowners are realizing the benefits of renting out their homes. 

However, if you want to attract a higher rental income and attract quality tenants, your home needs to be both aesthetically appealing and functional. By remodeling your home for renters, you can make back your investment faster and improve the value of your home if you ever think about selling. 

Here’s how to remodel your home for renters:

 

Upgrade Your Curb Appeal

When attracting future tenants, your home’s exterior plays a crucial role in creating a positive first impression. Invest in landscaping your front lawn, but also try to keep it low-maintenance since your renters will likely be responsible for its upkeep. Simple tasks like planting new grass, adding flowers or a small garden, and painting or replacing your front door will immediately add value to your home. 

Enhance your property’s marketability by incorporating universal design principles, like making your walkways wheelchair-accessible and replacing your front door knob with a lever handle. 

 

Remodel Your Kitchen

Kitchen remodels, and renovations consistently deliver some of the highest returns on investment (ROI) for homes. Research shows that 80% of homebuyers consider the kitchen one of a home’s top three most important spaces. Also, 69% of people surveyed said they’d pay more for new appliances. Odds are, your tenants will feel the same way. 

When it comes to kitchens, functionality is key. Make sure the room has an easy flow and that your tenants can easily reach appliances, cabinet shelves, and countertops. Also, invest in bright, well-placed lights that make it easy for the cook to see what they’re doing. 

Pay attention to your kitchen’s aesthetics as well. Create cohesion by matching the finishes of your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, microwave, and other appliances. If your cabinets are still in excellent condition, freshen them up by sanding or painting them, and caulk your countertops as needed.

Even the little things can add a lot of value to your kitchen model. Consider getting a new faucet, adding or updating your backsplash, and including reflective surfaces to give the illusion that the space is larger than it is. 

 

Remodel Your Bathroom

Next to your kitchen, remodeling your bathroom is the next most common home renovation that’ll deliver a high ROI. Bathroom upgrades are also more accessible and often more cost-effective to do. 

Update your fixtures by replacing your faucet, shower head, and toilet seat. Include a size-appropriate vanity and floating shelves for extra storage space and bright lighting so future tenants can easily see themselves getting ready in the morning. 

Design a bathroom with everyone in mind by incorporating elements that’ll help renters age in place: 

• Add non-slip flooring and install grab bars to reduce the risk of at-home injuries.
• If impossible, widen your doorway, so it’s wheelchair and walker accessible.
• Convert your bathtub into a walk-in shower with room for a bench. 

 

Brighten Up the Place

Shed new light on your property by investing in affordable fixtures that keep your home’s finest features out of the shadows. Dimly lit spaces can negatively impact the mood of your home and make a bad impression on potential tenants. Also, energy-efficient LEDs are cheap, long-lasting, and will save your tenants money on energy bills. 

Try to incorporate as much natural lighting as you can. Natural light comes with heaps of benefits. It improves your ability to sleep and focus, helps your body produce vitamin D, and positively affects your mental and physical well-being.

Update Your Flooring

Remodeling projects often make your floors messy, so save your floor upgrades for last (with your kitchen being the one exception). Hardwood is often preferred to carpets. Hardwood is easier to clean, while carpets require a bit more maintenance and can trap odors.

Whatever you decide, be mindful of how your tenants will use your home. Keep all the flooring as level as possible from room to room, and invest in slip-resistant flooring. You might have homeowner’s insurance but don’t want to use it. 

Amplify With Amenities

Potential tenants will pay extra for convenience. In many cases, amenities are the “make or break” factors when a potential renter considers your property. Keep your home competitive by incorporating some or all of these amenities:

• In-unit washer and dryer
• Dishwasher
• Storage space
• Air conditioning
• Off-street parking
• Fenced-in yards
• Porches or back decks
• Brand-named appliances

Create a Home Office Space

A Gallup sample survey of 8,090 remote-capable U.S. employees (people who can work from home) found that around 80% of them are either working hybrid or fully remote. To promote a better work-life balance, reserve a space where your future tenant can work from home that can be separate enough so they can “leave” work at the end of the day. Ideally, this space will have a window to let in the natural light and be bright enough to help keep them in a positive mood. 

If your renter ends up not using this space for work, they can convert it into a game room, den, guest room, or even a large closet. 

 

Go Green

96% of Seattle home buyers said they would pay more for a home with green features. Odds are that most renters feel the same way. 

 

Green building is an all-encompassing strategy that recognizes the impact of homes throughout their lifecycle and seeks to maximize their positive effects while minimizing the negative ones. Common green practices include:

• Improving indoor air quality
• Using recyclable buildings materials
• Installing energy-efficient windows and appliances
• Installing energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
• Water conservation

Green building is better for you and your environment and boosts your home’s value while simultaneously saving your future tenants money on their water and energy bills. 

Remodel Your Home for Renters With Pathway

Pathway takes a comprehensive approach to sustainable home remodeling, ensuring your home is both functional and beautiful. Whether you want to remodel your home for renters, add value for a sale, or improve your living space, we’re here to help. 

Are you ready to give your home the upgrades it deserves? Contact us today!