An investment property needs regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure it produces the maximum ROI that owners expect. However, sometimes the simplest things also make a big impact on rental property returns!
Many real estate investors overlook the straightforward task of keeping rental properties clean. Yet, this is one critical task that can make a significant impact on your return on investment, and the best property management company Detroit offers is here to tell you why it matters!
Deep cleaning a rental property provides an easy, low-cost way to maximize property investment value. All renters expect to move into a fresh and clean home when signing a lease agreement. However, a thoroughly cleaned property will also help maintain its value and make it stand out as an attractive rental option in the market.
Here are a few ways that you can regularly clean your property to improve the value and impress residents!
The exterior of your investment property experiences nature's harshest elements. Left unattended, a home’s exterior could suffer mold growth and rot on some surfaces, including the soffit, window frames, shutters, decks, and patios. Each year, pressure washing of the exterior can remove stains and grime that accumulate over time to keep a home looking its best. Cleaning the deck, patios, and sidewalks on your property also will ensure they remain safe and free of debris that could cause damage if not removed.
Clean gutters help protect a rental property’s roofing system and foundation. Debris-free gutters also look nice and show that a property is well-cared-for. During your seasonal maintenance tasks, remove leaves, sticks, and other debris that can clog the gutters and downspouts. It’s also a good idea to repair any sections of the gutter system that may have been damaged to ensure that excess rainwater drains properly.
Mother nature can take a toll on an investment property's windows and screens. Property owners should clean these elements to remove grime that accumulates after ice, snow, rain, and storms have clouded over windows and screens. Clean windows and screens also help maximize energy efficiency for renters and reduce the burden placed on the HVAC system.
The heating and cooling system in your rental property should be cleaned and maintained regularly by an HVAC technician. This reduces utility costs for renters. It also saves property owners money in the long run because routine HVAC service helps the system operate more efficiently and maximizes its operational life. It is also important to ensure that tenants regularly change the HVAC air filter to make sure it runs as efficiently as possible in between scheduled maintenance.
Not all cleaning tasks have to be big things, like gutters and the HVAC system. Property owners should also prioritize cleaning the nooks and crannies of rental properties during the make-ready process.
A deep cleaning of an investment property's interior should include a thorough dusting of ceiling fans and overhead light fixtures. It will also help keep the property fresh and clean for prospective tenants. In addition, a clean, well-maintained property helps answer the question, “how much can I rent my house for” with a competitive rental rate!
During tenant turnover, don’t forget to shampoo the carpets. Regular deep cleaning of carpeting can help reduce any dirt and allergens that can accumulate inside the rental. Keeping the carpet as fresh and clean as possible also helps maximize its life and keeps it attractive to prospective tenants. Deep carpet cleaning is particularly important if an investment property owner allows tenants to keep pets.
Another often-overlooked cleaning spot is the build-up of grease and grime produced while cooking. It is critical to regularly clean kitchen fans, vents, and stove hoods to remove this buildup. In some cases, it might be necessary to replace dirty cooking vent filters. This ensures the continued safe operation of the kitchen's stove and oven while reducing the potential for a kitchen grease fire that can lead to significant damage to an investment property and harm renters.
As a rental property owner, it’s important to make sure that you’re keeping your property clean and well maintained so that the value of your property doesn’t decrease over time. Whether you’re maintaining the property yourself or scoping out Metro Detroit property management companies to complete your maintenance work, a proactive approach to cleaning helps improve returns! If you need help managing your property or tackling make-ready and cleaning tasks, Own It Detroit is here! Reach out soon to speak with one of our seasoned real estate professionals about our property management services.
Learn more tips to improve returns! Download a free copy of “10 Things You Should Do to Increase the ROI for Your Rental Property.”