The rental market is hot right now with people looking to move into the Branson area or to move to another apartment or home within the community where they already reside. People make the decision to move for a variety of reasons...a new job, to be closer to family, for more space, or to find a place that just suits their needs and lifestyle better. 

Making home improvements to your rental property is an important factor to keep in mind as you consider factors that will affect the appeal and rentability of your property. 

With costs rising on most products, your renters are going to want to maximize their rental budget and get the most bang for their buck. As the owner of the rental property you’re going to want to do the same and choose upgrades that are cost effective and make the most impact when renters are looking for a new place to call home. 

As you begin to get your game plan together consider these budget friendly improvements for your rental property. 

In The Laundry Room

If you don’t already have a washer and dryer installed, you definitely should consider upgrading your property with these appliances. Generally costing less than $1000, this upgrade will be an attractive selling feature to the renter. No one wants to haul their dirty laundry across town and wait hours to wash and dry it, only to have to haul it back home and unload it. People are so busy nowadays running the kids to soccer practice, working long hours and completing household functions, that they do not want to waste endless hours at the laundromat. 

Having a washing machine and clothes dryer inside your unit will be a huge selling feature. 

In Every Room

Fresh paint works wonders to make a space feel brighter immediately! And not only will new paint visually freshen up the place, new paint has a way of masking some odors and will make your rental property feel newer, cleaner, and smell better.

If you choose to do the painting yourself, this budget friendly improvement for your rental property will only cost a few hundred dollars for paint and supplies. Larger properties may cost a bit more and if you have a professional painter come in to do the work, be sure to ask for a detailed quote so you can know what amount to expect when the final bill arrives.

Choose paint colors that are light and neutral to maximize the brightness of the space and to make it appear larger.

In The Office, Den, or In An Extra Bedroom

Since COVID-19 became a worldwide concern in 2020, many companies have transitioned their employees from working onsite to working from home. While many workers have made their ways back into the office. Many corporations have decided to continue to have their employees work from home. 

As you consider making property improvements, give thought to making one of the “extra” spaces a home office. Many individuals would love to have a dedicated work space that is quiet and out of the way of the main traffic of the house. Having a home office will be another great feature to set your rental property apart from the rest.

In The Kitchen and Bathrooms

If you’re looking to give the most used rooms in the house a quick facelift, refinishing or even just repainting the cabinet fronts can give an instant new look. Choose lighter shades from the color palette to make sure these rooms stay brighter. 

If the cabinet doors you have are worn, scratched and dented, many improvement stores sell just the cabinet fronts. These panels can be easily swapped out with what is currently in place and then finished to match the rest of the cabinets.

If you choose to update or upgrade the cabinets, don’t forget about the cabinet hardware. Door pulls and drawer pulls are also a simple cost effective way to make the space more modern and feel more current with today’s decorating trends. 

On All The Floors

Considering the floor is the most used item in any home, think about replacing the flooring in your rental. For many years, carpet was the way to go and everyone loved having plush rugs under their feet.

More recently, many renters have been found to prefer solid surface flooring, such as laminate wood plank flooring. This type of flooring comes in many attractive colors and finishes and is an attractive selling feature to most people due to the ease of cleaning it.

Replacing flooring also helps the property smell cleaner, as old carpets can tend to hold odors and stains from long ago.

If you own a rental property and want to earn a good return on your investment, consider these budget friendly improvement ideas for your rental property. Potential new tenants will find the thoughtful upgrades a nice perk and will be more likely to sign a lease on your unit.



If you would like assistance managing your rental and the tenants who live there, contact Thousand Hills Realty at (417) 337-8081. As Branson’s premier property management company, we would love to put our experience to work for you!