If you are a landlord who rents out home dwellings of any size or type, then you know how important it is to maintain tenancy in your units at all times. Having tenants in residence ensures that the deposits into your bank account keep consistently rolling in every month. 

It is important to find ways that make your Branson apartment unique in order to make it competitive in the local market. If you happen to be in between tenants or if you have been having trouble finding tenants at all, consider these tips for making your rental property stand out above the rest. You will be happy to find a tenant who appreciates the hard work you’ve done, and your tenant will be happy that they are able to live in a home that is well cared for.

How long has it been since the last tenant lived there and the property was empty? Instead of pining for a new tenant right away, take the opportunity to go into the unit and truly evaluate it’s condition. 

Don’t just look at the surface, but dig deeper into the mechanics of the unit and make sure that everything is running smoothly and operating properly as it should. Now is the time to look in the cabinets and make sure that all shelves are secure and the drawers glide in and out smoothly. Is the toilet seat discolored, cracked or even loose? How about the toilet itself? Is it secured well to the floor, with no rocking? Check all faucets for even spray patterns, check the tub for unrestricted drainage and make sure the vent fan is clean and operational. 

This is also a great opportunity to dig deep and do a hard core cleaning. Ceiling fans are often overlooked. Make sure the blades and light fixture is free of dust and cobwebs. Wash your windows and wipe out the window sill area, clearing it of any bugs, dirt or grime that has settled on the sill. Move the appliances out from the walls and vacuum or mop underneath. Carpets and rugs hold a lot of dirt, stains, and odors - it would be a good idea to rent a deep clean carpet cleaner to steam the rugs or hire a professional to come in and tackle the job.

Lastly, patch any holes in the walls and touch up the walls where any nicks or scratches have damaged the paint. Even better - give the whole unit a fresh coat of paint. The extra work will be worth the trouble, and the expense, the first time your prospective tenant walks through. The unit will smell refreshed and everything will be sparkling clean. Although these minor repairs can all add up to a large amount out of your budget, these are tasks that will help the unit faster and will inevitably save you from having to come back to fix some of these repairs later. 

When the tenant has very few things -if anything! - to call to report a complaint on, they will find themselves feeling more satisfied with where they are renting, and hopefully they will remember those good feelings when it comes time to re-sign the lease next year.

A lot of people have a hard time visualizing the potential a living space can have. Often hiring a company to come in and “stage” the unit will give people a sense of how great it could look when they move in. Although there will be an initial investment up front, this added feature will more than likely help your unit to rent faster, as the placement of the furnishings and wall decor will give the space a homey feel and will highlight the property to its best advantage.

Before you have a big showing, make sure to arrive in plenty of time to allow for you to make a last minute walkthrough to address any unforeseen issues. Make sure the unit smells pleasant and light a candle if it needs a touch of fragrance. Febreze is another air freshener to try, however a little goes a long way. You don’t want to make anyone suspicious of any possible odors they think you are trying to mask. 

Everyone appreciates good light, so make sure that all blinds are open and the lights in any dark rooms are turned on for the showing.

First impressions are lasting so make sure that prospective tenants arriving for a showing are impressed by what they see as they approach the unit. Have the porch swept, trim any low hanging branches that obstruct the view, and trim any shrubs that appear as if the area is overgrown. Lastly, make sure the front door is in good condition and touch up any paint chips or cracks to avoid getting off on the wrong foot.

After all the time and effort you will put in to making your property stand out above the rest, you will almost surely be signing a lease with your new tenants very soon! 

If you would like your property to have the advantage over the local market, but want someone else to do the work for you, contact Thousand Hills Realty and let us manage the unit and the upkeep for you! Call Branson’s Premier Property Management company today at (417) 337-8081.