Renting comes with many advantages, but the freedom to customize your living space according to your needs and preferences certainly isn't one of them. When a hefty safety deposit and a strict lease agreement are watching your every move, turning a rental into a home becomes a much more daunting task. Still, there is no reason to despair, even if you are still not ready to upgrade from tenant to homeowner. There are many budget-friendly ways to personalize your rental home that won't aggravate your landlord or your wallet. Stay tuned to see what they are. Add some color to the walls A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for transforming your living space. Owners typically opt for white or other neutral shades because they are universal and easy to paint over in between tenants. If this is too dull for your taste, you can always kindly ask your landlord to switch things up. If they are not too keen on the idea, offer to repaint the walls in the original color before the time comes to move out. Yes, this will be an extra expense you will need to account for, but since there are moving services for different needs and budgets available, you should be able to make an affordable plan without sacrificing anything. Create an accent wall with removable wallpaper This list of budget-friendly ways to personalize your rental home can't go without wallpaper. Removable wallpaper is a fantastic way to bring some color and style into your living space. There is a variety of colors, patterns, and even textures to choose from, so finding something that matches your taste shouldn't be an issue. You can even use it to upgrade the bathroom! Just be very careful when removing it if you want to get your security deposit back. If you chip or damage the walls, end-of-tenancy cleaning won't be your only issue when you decide to move. Upgrade the lighting Lighting plays an essential role in interior design. However, rentals usually cover only the bare necessities when it comes to illumination, be it natural or artificial. Luckily, addressing this issue is neither hard nor expensive. You can find beautiful lamps and lighting fixtures on various online marketplaces and thrift stores for ridiculously low amounts of money. LED strip lights are an excellent solution for task lighting in the kitchen or bathroom. When it comes to wall and ceiling fixtures, you can opt for pendant lights that you can customize and arrange according to your liking if you are not allowed to install more. Additionally, make sure to remove or replace your blinds and add airy curtains that will allow more sunlight into your living space. Replace the hardware Door knobs and cabinet pulls might seem insignificant, but they can really help you personalize your rental home. You can find cheap hardware online. The fact that replacing it requires minimal effort makes this trick even more attractive. Just make sure to store the original knobs, handles, and pulls in a safe place to avoid losing them. Add a removable backsplash to your kitchen Rarely will you find a rental with a kitchen backsplash that is just according to your liking. Luckily, you can easily address this with a removable backsplash. It will protect the walls from accidental spills and splashes and make the move-out cleaning significantly more manageable. Moreover, since it is so cheap, you can simply replace it once you get bored of the pattern. Upgrade appliances and cabinets with contact paper While there probably isn't much you can do about the appliances and cabinets in your rental, there are ways to make them look a bit more presentable. Contact paper! Simply clean and dry the surface you want to cover and carefully stick the paper to avoid air bubbles and creases. If you take your time with this, you might even convince your friends that you finally got that expensive stainless-steel fridge! When the time comes to move, simply remove the contact paper and no one will ever know. Cover ugly flooring with area rugs Since flooring isn't exactly cheap or easy to fix or replace, landlords typically don't address them unless absolutely necessary. As a result, many rentals have less than stellar floors that really affect the home's vibe. If this is the case with your apartment - there is no reason to panic! Area rugs can be a cheap and easy fix for this issue. Layer different sizes, colors, and shapes to cover the ugly spots and add a dose of coziness to your living space. Personalize your rental home with plants When it comes to home decor, plants are always an excellent choice. They are affordable, versatile, and capable of brightening up even the dreariest of places. If you don't have much experience keeping them alive, know that many low-maintenance options thrive on neglect. Make sure to choose the plants that can survive with the conditions you will provide them. This means that succulents are probably not an ideal choice if your rental doesn't get much sunlight. Additionally, put your green friends in some cool planters, and place them on your shelves, hang them, or even use them to cover up the eyesores. Don’t assume you can’t change anything
While there are many budget-friendly ways to personalize your rental home, they might not be enough for you. If you have more complex ideas in mind, don't just assume that you can do nothing about them. It's true that most landlords aren't big on allowing their tenants to make significant changes, but that might not be the case with your landlord. A kind approach, alongside responsible tenant behavior, could be enough to persuade the owner to loosen up the rules. Remember to be realistic about your demands and always offer to return the property to its previous condition. However, if your landlord won't budge and you simply don't feel at home in the rental - don't despair. There are many properties out there, and, with a bit of help, you will surely manage to find something that satisfies your needs and wishes. Photos used: https://unsplash.com/photos/85pCvDWDMmI https://unsplash.com/photos/mDOGXiuVb4M https://unsplash.com/photos/rSGdLWXpKzk https://unsplash.com/photos/4Vg6ez9jaec The life of a tenant comes with many caveats. Besides needing to find a place you like, you’ll also have to deal with the landlord or property management company. If you have a pet, finding a suitable rental property can be a bit more challenging. It goes without saying that not every landlord is going to be thrilled with the prospect that you’ll be bringing a pet with you. Thankfully, we will give you tips for renting with pets, which will make the whole process a lot easier. Consult with the landlord Obviously, the first thing you will need to do is consult with the landlord. Be direct and find out if the apartment you are interested in is pet-friendly. Some places with a “no pets allowed” policy may be open for discussion, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask. The worst thing that can happen is that you get declined, which will just bring you back to square one. It is of utmost importance that you do not lie to the landlord or try to hide your pet. When they perform a property inspection, they are bound to find pet hair, chew toys, and pet food. Hiding your pet can just land you in trouble and get you kicked out of the apartment. Don’t even think you will be able to fool a seasoned landlord. They are always on the lookout for tenant scams, so you should steer away from any illegal or suspicious activity. Choose a home with your pet in mind A small, one-bedroom apartment isn’t the greatest environment for a dog. Try to find something more suitable for your pet, and have their needs in mind when browsing property listings. Depending on the type and size of your pet, you may want to rent something with a spare room, a balcony, or a yard. Also, consider what the neighborhood is like. Look for an area with a nearby park or perhaps good trails where you can go for walks together. Before moving, check to see if there is a local vet in the area and contact them to see if they can care for your pet. Get references from your previous landlordIf you have already rented a place with the same pet you have now, you can ask your old landlord for a reference. This is especially helpful if your pet is well behaved and left a good impression on them. The landlord-tenant relationship is something you need to nurture, and it can be mutually beneficial. When moving out of a rental property, make sure to repair any damage your pet may have caused even before the property manager asks you to do it. If your previous landlord can mention that both you and your pet behave responsibly, that can go a long way towards convincing the new property owner to give your pet a pass. Gather documentation and introduce your pet Besides all the regular paperwork you will need when renting a home, you should also create a dedicated pet-paperwork folder. Have all the vaccination and neutering information from your vet readily available. You can also include your vet's phone number, since they can also serve as a reference for your pet. Compose a short bio for your pet, where you can mention their breed, hygiene, and overall habits. Always include your pet's resume with your own when inquiring about an apartment. After all, you are going to be roommates together. If you are going to have an in-person meeting with the new landlord, make sure to bring your pet. This can be an excellent opportunity to show off that they are well behaved. Be willing to negotiate When discussing the lease agreement, you can offer an addendum to the lease. It can state that you are ready to cover any potential expenses which can come from the damage your pet may cause. When renting with pets, it's not uncommon for landlords to require you to pay an additional security deposit. Obviously, the best way to get it back is for you and your pet to be on your best behavior. Always clean up after your pet, and fix anything they damage to get your security deposit back. Moving with pets You will find that moving to a new home is a bit more complicated when pets are in the picture. We will go through some tips for renting with pets that will make your relocation a breeze. Pets can sometimes get even more stressed out about a move than humans, and what's worse is that they don't have good ways to express themselves. Here is what you can do:
If you don’t already have a pet
If you plan on getting a pet, don't just adopt one and assume that your landlord will be okay with you bringing them into the rental property. Talk to the landlord in advance and get their approval before bringing a pet into your home, and make sure you get it in writing. Adopting an animal without a formal okay will get you on the fast lane to getting evicted. The bottom line The main takeaway from our tips for renting with pets is that you should always be straightforward and direct. Inquiring about pets on the property should be one of the first talking points with the landlord. Of course, there are a few things you can do to set the odds in your favor. If you train your pet and make sure they are well behaved, renting with a pet shouldn't be a problem. There is a lot to consider when it comes to moving out of your rental. Whether you have been there for a long time or just a short while, multiple things can determine if you get your security deposit back or not. Always make sure that you take your time to consider all possibilities and sort them out before you officially move out. The issues that your landlord might consider deal-breakers could be as small as a few leftover nails in the wall or as big as broken furniture. With some cleaning hacks, you will be able to relax and have no problem getting all your money back. Preparing to move outIf you have ever rented a car, you’ll remember that you needed to do an initial inspection of damages so that you do not get charged for them afterward. The same rule should apply to an apartment or house rental. If you have done this before signing a lease for your home, it will make your life a lot easier once you decide to move out.
1. Make sure you clean the ovenUnless you do not come near your stove due to your less-than-enviable cooking skills, the kitchen is the area where you will have the most significant amount of work. You know very well how much damage oil splatters can cause and what a pain they are to clean. Almost everyone will agree that they hate cleaning the oven with a passion. Who can blame them—it is extremely difficult to do, it demands some serious contortionism, and even after you clean it, it still looks dirty. Procrastinating with this task, though, can create quite a messy situation, and you want to take care of it before you move out. An easy cleaning hack is to make a baking soda paste by mixing it with water and then spread it all over the oven. Leave this overnight and simply wipe it clean in the morning. 2. Don’t overlook the fridgeThis is the home of lots of spills, stains, and bacteria. If you empty it and unplug it without cleaning, it will be a nasty sight—and smell. A bowl of baking soda overnight will take care of the smells for you. One of the best cleaning hacks is to use a vinegar solution and spray it all over the refrigerator. All the stains and grease will come off surprisingly easily. 3. The walls will need a lot of loveYour walls can go through substantial damage even if you do not hang any pictures on them. Simple, everyday activities can leave stains and marks on the walls that you will most certainly need to take care of before moving out. To clean stains, use white toothpaste with a paper towel or a rag. If you have removed nails from the walls, fill in the holes with toothpaste as well, or use the traditional nail hole fillers and even out by scraping the excess with a wet knife. 4. Try out these cleaning hacks for the floorsAny lighter shade of carpet will be susceptible to stains. To clean these, use a mix of hydrogen peroxide and some lemon juice. Spray the solution on the stained area and leave for a few minutes. After that, scrub it with a brush. For dark carpets, use a solution of white vinegar and a few drops of dish soap and water. If your hardwood floor has scuffs, use a tennis ball or an eraser and apply a bit of pressure while rubbing the surface. This magic trick will save your security deposit. 5. Give the bathroom a good scrubYou may have noticed some stubborn stains in your bathtub. They usually form from shower and hair products build-up, but also limestone. Most cleaning products will not get rid of them, so why not try a mix of lemon juice and salt? Scrub on the area until it magically disappears. Moving cross country?If you are currently renting in the state of Nevada and are planning an interstate move, consider hiring a moving company. After you have finished your thorough cleaning and you got your full safety deposit, these professionals will save you a great deal of trouble and help you transfer from the state to wherever you are moving. Especially if you are relocating for the first time, you will be more than grateful for the assistance of experts. You might get overwhelmed by the amount of planning and organizing that needs to take place. With professional movers, you will rest assured that everything will be arranged for you perfectly. Additional useful tips and cleaning hacks to keep in mindIt is very easy to overlook details when moving out of your rental. Your landlord might be a lovely, honest person, but they also might be digging for ways to deduct money from your safety deposit.
Meta description: Learn some great cleaning hacks to help you get your security deposit back offered by the experts at Clark Real Estate. Photos by Pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/female-cleaning-stylish-living-room-in-apartment-7513086/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-woman-industry-writing-7841451/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/glad-woman-with-baking-pan-standing-near-oven-5181813/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/bathtub-with-candles-and-flowers-6620859/ You don't have to be psychic to know that the landlord vs. tenant relationship is the subject of many articles you can easily find online. The only thing is: most of them focus their attention on the unwanted, unloyal, or scamming tenants. So, where are all the good ones and why's nobody writing about them? How about doing something in advance for your tenants to make them feel just right? Well, we'll try to make it up to them by posting an article about affordable ways to show appreciation to your tenants. Good tenants are a blessing! Here are some tips and tricks on how to keep them! A Welcome Gift Before your tenant/landlord relationship kicks off big time, it's good you show some appreciation in advance. There isn't a better way to do this than by leaving a little welcome present on the kitchen counter or sofa. It's up to you to figure out what kind of present it will be. Try to look for something affordable, yet don't be cheap. It's always like that, right? Let's say that a gift card from your local hardware or home appliance shop is something most tenants will find appealing. Also, make sure to include a welcome note with the gift. You can make this into a tradition. For example, you can do this again once your tenants renew their one-year contract. Update the placeLet's say you've noticed that the old washing machine is slowly dying. It can still be of some use, but you can clearly see its days are numbered. Don't wait for your new tenants to call you when they have issues with washing their clothes. Replace the old lady before they move in! You should also renovate the place if needed. If you're nice enough to leave a welcome gift, you must act nice on all fronts. That way, your tenants will know you're a one-of-a-kind caring landlord. You can surprise them with your positive attitude! Share some quality info Let's say your tenants have some problems relocating to their new address: the cozy apartment you're renting out. There are numerous ways you can help them in this scenario. One of them, of course, is to show them some relocation tips they can use on their moving day. As you've probably experienced relocating at some point in your life, your knowledge might turn out to be very helpful. Tell them how to organize the preparations or how to handle moving-day stress. It's a big plus having a trusty landlord, always ready to help or give a bit of advice! Remember (write down) your tenants' birthdays A fun way to show your tenants some attention is to remember their birthdays. Sending a small gift cannot hurt! Even a plain old birthday card will do the trick. If you own a building, we guess it's pretty hard to remember the birthdays of all your tenants. In that case, write them down and set up a reminder. Also, if you want to be a dreamlike landlord (what a combination of words...) you can even track anniversaries or other dates important to your tenants. On the other hand, that might seem a little creepy. Stick to birthdays! Throw a tenant appreciation partyAs we've mentioned in the previous paragraph, you might be the owner or a property manager of a building. In that case, you can throw a cookout event or something similar for all your tenants! Is there a better way to show that you care? That's right - there isn't! Rare are those who would turn down a party invitation. Never let your tenants wait for a repairIf your tenants call you because of an issue inside your apartment, you should act momentarily. Letting them wait is not something we would recommend. They need to know you're always there! Imagine the scenario: something's wrong with the plumbing, and because of your poor timing, now the living room tragically reminds your tenants of a scene in a movie about a sinking ship (Titanic, anyone?). Even movie buffs would hate that! Not to mention the folks who live downstairs. They'll undoubtedly adore the light brown aquarelle on their ceiling! Give them a discountIf your tenants are on time every month with payments, it might be time to show them how much you value their responsibility. Give them a discount on the next rent payment. It's a win-win situation! You're happy because they're always on time, they're happy because you gave them a monthly discount! Then you're happy because they're happy, and so on. It's not so hard to picture an idyllic landlord/tenant relationship blooming out of this. Okay, that was probably a bit too much, but you get the point! A discount on rent is one of the best ways to show appreciation to your tenants! In conclusion In the article above, we've shared with you affordable ways to show appreciation to your tenants. By following the mentioned tips and tricks (there aren't any tricks, though), you're bound to form a great relationship with your tenant/s. It's never hard to show some extra care, and your tenants (if they behave like normal people, that is) deserve your attention. A nice word, friendly gesture, or a small gift will get the job done!
Photos used: https://unsplash.com/photos/0ZF7BrJ2xmg https://unsplash.com/photos/8mj-o2H5PKE https://unsplash.com/photos/iNeH9jvtwyU https://unsplash.com/photos/RygIdTavhkQ If you happen to be a rental owner, there's a high chance you've put blood, sweat, and tears into managing the said property. While the investment might have been a smart one initially, perhaps it doesn't ring true today. There are many instances in which you are better off moving on from the property than keeping it in your possession any longer. Unfortunately, knowing just when to say goodbye isn't simple to determine. With that said, you are encouraged to take note of these 7 signs that suggest the time to sell your rental property has come.
1. The value of your rental property has increased If the value of the property has drastically increased since the time you bought it, that may be a signal it's time to convert it into cash. This approach is especially favored by professional flippers, who purchase properties only to sell them for profit a short time later. While typical flippers don't usually turn to renting, a few of those do stick around long enough to venture into the process - which goes something like this:
2. The property is no longer generating profit It doesn't take a genius to figure out that a property that doesn't bring revenue isn't one worth keeping. Of course, if you've only recently acquired your asset, perhaps you should stick around for a bit longer. After all, it does take some time for profit to show. However, if you've already been a landlord for a while and you've been in the red for months, it might be wise to sell your rental property. It's better to let go of it now than allow it to drain your savings any further. If you truly are keen on sticking to real estate investing, though, put your money elsewhere. For example, into another Reno property that's bound to prove more profitable. 3. You are miles away from your rental property When you live close to your rental, managing it doesn't seem all that complicated. Whenever the property requires your attention, you are just a short drive away. However, as life is relatively unpredictable, sometimes, we must move away. This challenging time requires us to think about many things: our next living arrangement, the moving process, and last but not least, the property we currently own. As far as hiring movers goes, it's worth noting that reliability is the most important factor to consider. Always opt for a company that has considerable experience moving people across long distances, throughout the entire state of Nevada. While the relocation process can be reasonably smooth, maintaining your property when you live miles away becomes all that harder. You can no longer be there to tend to issues and must rely on the help of others to make do. Selling is possibly the best choice, but if you wish to keep your asset, by all means, do it. Should that be your final decision, remember to seek out a professional Reno property manager. 4. You no longer wish to be a landlord The thought of being a landlord doesn't excite you anymore? If you find this to be true, that's a tell-tell sign that you should sell your rental property, or actually, consider selling it. Perhaps you are just tired of the amount of work that needs to be done around the property. Maybe managing it has occupied so much of your free time, which isn't what you initially signed up for. Or, you've stumbled upon trouble with your tenants. Whatever the case, if real estate investing no longer does it for you, it might be time to leave the game altogether. 5. Your rental property has begun deteriorating The state of your current asset is such that it requires extensive repairs to become yet again profitable. Investing in a new roof in Reno, for instance, can cost you anywhere between 6,000 and 10,000 dollars. That's about a year's worth of rent down the drain! Instead of spending a fortune on fixing it all up, it's better to sell the rental ''as-is''. This is especially true if you are dealing with a somewhat older property. The potential for something going wrong grows with age, so parting ways sooner rather than later is recommended. 6. You set eyes on another property New opportunities to invest in something, including properties, arise constantly. Maybe you've recently stumbled upon an asset that you believe could be worth your while. The only problem being that the lack of money is preventing you from acquiring it straight away. However, if you sell your rental property now, you'll have just the amount you need to fund the new investment. But pause for a minute: are you aware of what you're getting yourself into? Is the potential of obtaining higher profits with the new property truly that great? Is it that great that it makes saying goodbye to a rental that's already been bringing you constant cash flow reasonable? Ask yourself these questions before reaching the final verdict. 7. Circumstances surrounding your life have changed At the time you purchased your investment property, you couldn't have possibly known something in your life would change. While you would want nothing else but to keep your property, certain events could make you question that decision, including:
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