Making Rental Property Bathrooms look Upscale on a Budget
rahull
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (10)
palimpsest
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Gas Cooktops more Upscale than Ranges? Cooktop for a rental?
Comments (8)Um...A couple of rentals I lived in did have gas, but it's rare. In the property management biz, one generally shies away from appliances that make it easier to burn down the building. :) If it's a house, rather than an apartment building, gas is more common, but still unusual. Not that one can't start a fire in an electric range, but it takes longer and is easier to stop at the beginning. I think Ikea's ovens are made by AEG or Whirlpool (depends on where you live, I think). They're supposed to be decent for what you get. I wouldn't do separate appliances though, if you have the ability to do a range. Ranges are much easier to replace. No matter what the income level, tenants can destroy appliances like you wouldn't believe. Some even steal them. Sometimes the more money they have the more entitled they feel, or the less sympathy they have for the landlord they're stealing from. And some bad tenants do it from spite. If you were going with induction for the safety value (especially with automatic shutoff), I could see it, because you can probably get separate induction cooktop and cheap oven for less than an induction range. That creates other problems, especially where tenants aren't familiar with induction cooking, and they can still fracture the glass if they're not careful about crystals (salt and sugar spills), as was discussed in another thread. The things that will attract tenants the most are overall appearance of the house, how good the sunlight is, and how cozy it seems empty, neutral colored walls and floors, nice landscaping (that the tenants don't have to maintain themselves), parking, and location, location, location. After that, it's closet/storage space, easy of furnishing the rooms (i.e., bed goes here, couch goes there with the TV here), and cleanliness/smell on the day they see it. If the range is spotless, it'll be most appealing to tenants, no matter what the fuel....See MoreRental Property Floor Problems
Comments (6)Sometimes they glue the padding or even carpet down. Honestly its hard to say. Someone who did it could have had a number or reasons. Like i said if theres enough meat left on the wood then yes you can. But you fall into a dilema of making it look nice enough to rent it out. If you have the skills and the time and patience then sure. But inexperience of a drum sander can ruin the floor in a mere second....See MoreShare the story of how you acquired your first rental property
Comments (20)I bought a condo before getting married. I bought my first condo (2bed/2bath) with the intention of getting a roommate to help with the mortgage. When we married, my husband already had a house, so I moved into the house, and we turned the condo into a rental. We had about $100 per month negative cash flow in the beginning. Many years prior to that, my then single husband bought a house in a suburb. Hated it, and bought another in the city and turned the suburban house into a rental. But, he remodeled the new house, ran out of money, rented out the house and he himself rented a small room to save money.... When he finally moved back into the newly remodeled home, he had many roommates to help with the finances. When we were first married, we built a mother in law apartment in the basement and rented that out. That helped with our expenses. We did not ask her to leave until my son was 2 years old. We then reclaimed the basement for ourselves. (You asked for stories and sacrifices...) We now have enough cash flow so not having rental income for a few months is not a big deal. This gives us the luxury of picking "good" tenants. We only pick tenants who are professionals with good jobs and stellar credit and rental record. The longest we have had vacant rental is about 3 months. We are also in an urban environment where many young professionals cannot afford to buy due to the housing price. Most houses in a suburban subdivision do not make a good rental, unless you can make the rent 1/3 or less than the monthly mortgage of buying the property. (now days, that may not be true because of the downpayment requirements have gone up for buying a home...) Like most everything else in real estate, it's location, location, location that determines the rentability, the amount of rent, the type of tenant etc. We have never needed to go to section 8 route. My condo is very close to the University and Medical school. We almost always have medical residents as tenants(currently dental student and the working spouse). We don't rent to undergrads. They have "no income" and do not qualify in our minds. Our suburban house is near many tech firms in the area, and we tend to get techies with well paying jobs living in the house. melle sacto, not only do you need to have enough money to get through prolonged vacancy, you need to be able to deal with unforseen emergencies quickly. These rentals are your investments. You don't want to do anything to devalue that investment. For example, we had a leak in a very old bathroom. We decided that it was a good time to update the bathroom rather than "patch" fix the bathroom when the tenants moved out. The tenants move out when they want to not when you have the money to fix the bathroom. Like any other business, you need to have available capital when you need it. In order to rent the property quickly, you need to make it look fresh with regular painting, yard maintenance, deep cleaning, etc etc. The most recent tenant turn over uncovered very old sliding glass doors that were not closing property due to age and settling etc. It was noticeable enough and would have detracted from the house from the potential tenants point of view. Again, we had to spend a few thousand $ to get them replaced. This is a regular part of being a landlord. We will probably get one more rental, either a duplex or a quadplex. (our next door neighbor probably has 10 houses/buildings or more) Anything larger than that, we are not willing to manage ourselves. We call trades people for just about everything that needs to be done. It is not worth doing it ourselves at this point. Initially, you will have to do everything yourselves, ie painting, yard work, cleaning, etc. If you and your husband are handy, you will spend less money versus calling someone in. Again, this is not on your schedule but the house's schedule. My brother has a dulplex that he rents out and also the house my parents willed to him. He too had to spend money when things happen. (both of our rentals needed new blower for the furnace this last winter.) We just laugh when these things happen.... Unlike calliope, I consider the risk I take with the rentals as a controlled risk. I actually think it is much less of risk than money I put in the stock market. However, a rental has little potential for huge growth as would in some stocks. To be a successful landlord, you also need to learn your market. In some markets, it is not a feasible business model. For example, I would not buy a rental in a rural area with high unemployment. But I would buy a rental in an urban environment with a large number of transient well paid professionals. Rental properties are a part of our entire portfolio along with other more and less risky things....See MoreRental Property Gets Annual Code Inspection
Comments (23)Again, Brickeye offers irrelevant straw man arguments to support his untenable positions. He said: "I put those examples forward to show exactly how hard it can be to enforce codes." The reality is that once a new construction or remodeling project has passed an existing code inspection, it does not need to be brought up to future code levels. Code compliance that was required at the time of the inspection is all that is required. No one is debating that. No one suggested otherwise. So your reasoning here is baseless. Brickeye further stated: "I do know of jurisdictions that revoke COs at sale of the property and require a new inspection to grant a new CO each time ownership changes." Then Brickeye does not understand the authority under construction and existing building codes that gives the code official just that power. In fact, it happens more often than you would think. It is VERY common for private home inspectors to spot code violations that were missed after the issuance of a CO on, for example, new construction homes, only to have the CO revoked when a code violation has been found that may have been missed in a previous inspection or when the CO was issued based on fradulent information provided by the owner.. In fact, the building codes require rescining a CO in such circumstances. The current owner is made aware of the problem and required to come into compliance. Happens more often that you think. But all this completely irrelevant to the issue. The issue is, that buildings with previously valid COs can fall into a state of disrepair to the point that they become a hazard to the public well being. When that happens, maintenance codes apply, which can a do allow the government to force owners to take actions to correct them. This can be done with or without the permission of the property owner or by getting an adminstrative "search" warrant to enter the property to make inspection when probable casue has been shown to a presiding judge. Properties can be permanently condemned, temporarily condemned until repairs are made, or civil judgements sought against the building's owner. Commercial Builidng and Fire Codes do not require a warrant to search a privately owned commercial building if they are open to use by the public and are inspected during normal business hours, and Codes mandate that commercial building owners must make their buildings accessible for annual maintenance inspections. So maintenance inspections on private structures are not without precedent nor basis in law. Brickeye further commented: "Last time I looked insurance comanies are private enterprises and seem to look out for themselves pretty well." Insurance companies DO look out for themselves when they insure a property or are made aware of existing maintenance problems....but insurers do not routinely make safety inspections of private homes nor are they made aware of hazardous conditions which violate the terms of the insurance agreement by fradulent homeowners, and that is where the problem lies. If the insurer knows that a property is in a state of disrepair, they will insist that repairs be made or one's insurance coverage revoked. If the homeowner doesn't tell the insurance he is violating the terms of the insurance agreement, how does the insurer know? He doesn't, which is why insurance companies FULLY SUPPORT the use of routine maintenance inspections by Code Departments for private rental and other units. It saves them and their majority policy and stockholders money and protects them from paying out on fradulent claims. Deliquent owners who have no mortgages also are likely not to carry insurance on their structures. This becomes a public problem when, for example, there is a fire or building collpase and it is up to the taxpayer to pay for the cleanup. The cry and clamor that government has no business protecting it's citizens from irresponsible property owners is without merit. Government inspections protect the public, protect insurers, and protect other private owners who properties can be devalued by delapidated and dangerous properties. The anarchy that Brickeye suggests is pie-in-the sky and actually the most irresponsible and absurd position, and why Codes were developed in the first place: to protect the public from those who simply just don't care about anyone else but themselves....See Morerahull
9 years agopalimpsest
9 years agonosoccermom
9 years agoAgree with pal. If the tile is in good shape and not completely hideous, I'd just paint a coordinating paint color that's in right now but not too taste specific, maybe like Edgecombe Gray or a bluish gray, or Manchester Tan. Try to gauge who your potential tenant is. Let's say they are young professionals, look at West Elm, CB2, Crate and Barrel, IKEA for ideas for a more trendy look.
Also, check out light fixtures (easy update), nice cabinet hardware, more updated towel bar, toilet roll holder, as well as a better than builder grade faucet and shower head. (Costco for faucets).
.
Costco had a curved shower rod kit with shower curtain and liner for just under 50.00.Also, keep in mind that you want durable materials and go all the way up to the ceiling with the tile where the shower is.
[Modern Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by Louisville Architects & Building Designers Rock Paper Hammer
Also, check out apartmenttherapy for budget friendly advice.
Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA bathroom reno
Kippy
9 years agolam702
9 years agojaynes123_gw
9 years agoscpalmetto
9 years agojterrilynn
9 years ago
Related Stories
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Making Over a Rental for About $1,500
Fresh paint, new hardware, added storage, rugs and unexpected touches breathe new life into a Los Angeles apartment’s kitchen
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESPersonal Spaces: Ideas for Making a Rental Your Own
Think creatively — and kiss your landlord if he or she allows you to paint those bare walls
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESMake Your Fixer-Upper Fabulous on a Budget
So many makeover projects, so little time and money. Here's where to focus your home improvement efforts for the best results
Full Story
MODERN ARCHITECTUREHouzz Tour: 2 Modern Buildings on an Upscale Farm
Olive trees and acreage provide enviable views, but the architecture is a sight to behold too
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESDesign Workshop: Is an In-Law Unit Right for Your Property?
ADUs can alleviate suburban sprawl, add rental income for homeowners, create affordable housing and much more
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Remodel Costs: 3 Budgets, 3 Kitchens
What you can expect from a kitchen remodel with a budget from $20,000 to $100,000
Full Story
DIY PROJECTSReinvent It: Salvage Savvy Keeps an Urban-Farmhouse Bath on Budget
See how resourceful shopping and repurposing gave a homeowner the new bathroom she wanted at the right price
Full Story
HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Black and White Make a Dutch Apartment All Right
Graphic and creative touches give a 600-square-foot city rental chic style on a modest budget
Full Story
HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: High End Meets Budget Friendly in Toronto
Splurging selectively and saving elsewhere, a Canadian family gets a posh-looking home that matches their vision
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNTry a Shorter Kitchen Backsplash for Budget-Friendly Style
Shave costs on a kitchen remodel with a pared-down backsplash in one of these great materials
Full Story
emma