A Landlord's Toolkit

 The Landlord’s Toolkit: Must-Have Supplies to Make Ongoing Maintenance Easier

Being a landlord is no easy job, and even though it's tempting to outsource your property's maintenance work, there are many things you can do yourself so long as you have the right tools. Every landlord needs to have a tool kit stocked with a few essential supplies—it takes more than a hammer and a screwdriver to be prepared as a landlord.

Let's talk more about what tools you'll need to have on hand as a landlord. When you have the following tools, you'll be ready to complete many DIY jobs yourself, which will save you money long term:

Saws

Although sometimes it will be necessary to have true handy workers come in to do intricate jobs for you, if you're comfortable operating a reciprocating saw or a miter saw, it would benefit you to have one. If a stair caves in or a railing falls down, having these tools on hand can help you fix up whatever is broken, fast and affordably.

Cleaning Supplies

As much as we like to avoid thinking about topics such as these, you might have to unclog a toilet or two as a landlord. Clean up is a part of your job description, so you have to have the proper tools to clean things up. Be sure to have basic cleaning supplies such as a toilet plunger, wipes, bleach, paper towels, dish soap, a dust buster and a vacuum, a spray bottle, steel wool and more.

Caulk, Putty, Spackling, and Their Accessories

Whether there's a hole in the wall or some molding that is deteriorating, you can save yourself a pretty penny if you fix it yourself. In order to complete these jobs without the help of a professional, you'll want to have things like caulk, a caulking gun, spackling, putty and a putty knife. All of these things will make minor jobs a lot more feasible for a landlord to complete themselves.

A Drop Cloth

Painting and other jobs can make a mess, and you don't want to make a mess and cause yourself unnecessary expenses. To avoid all of this, be sure to have a drop cloth handy. When you have a drop cloth, you can put it down when you're painting or performing other renovations. You'll be able to keep your flooring and appliances/furniture safe all while completing the job at hand.

Landscaping Supplies

Mowing your properties' lawns and maintaining their flowerbeds is a simple way to save yourself money. However, in order to do the best landscaping job possible, you're going to need to have lawnmowers, leaf blowers, basic landscaping tools like rakes, trowels, and gloves, and more available to you.

A Professional Grade Carpet Cleaner

If your properties have carpets, they need to be cleaned in-between tenets. While it's certainly possible for you to outsource this job to a carpet cleaning service, it will be more affordable if you're able to clean the carpets in your property yourself. You will have to invest in a high-quality carpet cleaner first, but once you have one, it will pay for itself in savings.  

Power Drills and Screws

A screwdriver works fine for some things, but for others, you cannot complete the job without a high-quality power drill. Purchase a drill and a few batteries, along with plenty of screws in different sizes. When you have these supplies, you'll be able to fix simple things, like collapsing window blinds, doors falling off the hinges, and more.

Safety Gear and PPE

Having safety gear and PPE, also known as personal protective equipment, is crucial for landlords. When you're doing work on your property, you need to make sure you're keeping yourself safe. So, have things like goggles, respirators/masks, and gloves in your tool kit. Painting without wearing a mask can be damaging to your health, and using a saw without goggles can lead to you getting saw dust in your eyes—avoid these health risks by having safety gear and PPE on hand.

Be Prepared as a Landlord with These Tools

Do it yourself projects are tasks that landlords should be prepared for. No matter how many properties you have, you can keep them maintained when your toolkit is stocked with the things we've discussed here. For more information about Leaf Management, contact us.

Eco-Friendly Updates You Can Make for Your Rental Properties

Sustainability in Rental Home Design: 10 Eco-Friendly Upgrades

When you own a rental property, you have the power to improve it's eco-friendly design and even icnrease the sustainability of tenant lifestyles. With each planned upgrades, you can make decisions that use sustainable materials, help your property use less electricity and water, and gain the most benefit from the region's natural climate.

There are many potential eco-friendly upgades you might explore, from quick and easy changes to serious renovations. These ten upgrades give you a useful selection of ways to improve the sustainability of your rental home at whatever rate of maintenance and remodeling works best for your property.

 

1) LED Lightbulbs

New lightbulbs are an easy way to make any rental home more eco-friendly. During your next tenant turnover, swap all the lightbulbs in the house for LED bulbs. These use significantly less electricity (1/10 the power) to achieve clear, bright illumination. They are also cooler to the touch and last years longer than incandescent (filament) bulbs, so they are safer and more efficient for your tenants, as well.

 

2) Replace the Weather Stripping

You can also quickly and easily change out the weather stripping on all doors and windows. Weatherstripping ensures a tight seal when doors and windows are closed, which keeps in the AC or heating, while keeping out bad weather and allergens. This ensures that your HVAC won't need to use as much electricity keeping the house comfortable throughout the year.

 

3) Programmable / Smart Thermostat

A programmable or smart thermostat can also improve the energy efficiency of your rental home's HVAC performance. A smart thermostat can adapt to the weather and the routine of your tenants and direct the HVAC to use the minimum heating/cooling cycles to achieve the most efficient in-home comfort. Also, changing thermostats is typically just a swap off of already installed prongs in the wall, so this one is another piece of cake upgrade with no renovation required.

 

4) Energy-Efficient Appliances

A good landlord upgrades the appliances every 5-10 years, depending on their durability. Older appliances are much less energy-efficient than models designed today, which creates a perfect opportunity. When you're swapping out the range, fridge, dishwasher, dryer, etc - be sure to choose Energy Star rated new appliances. They will use much less electricity while also creating that shiny-new-appliance appeal to attract tenants.

 

5) Water Conservative Plumbing and Appliances

Don't forget water-conservative upgrades. Upgrade sink faucets, shower heads, and toilets to use less water with aeration and low-flow settings. Then choose new plumbed-in appliances like the dishwasher and washing machine that are designed for water-conservative cycles,

You can also replace a failing old water heater with an on-demand water heater. This unit heats water rapidly instead of heating a tank of water over and over, for both water and energy conservation.

 

6) Improved Insulation

If you're making changes that involve opening up the walls or siding, upgrade the insulation while the hidden spaces are exposed. The latest in insulation design provides superior energy efficiency, durability, and noise reduction to your rental home for a significant yet simple increase in the home's value and sustainability all at once.

 

7) New Doors and Windows

If your rental home has warped doors and rattling windows, now may be the perfect time for a replacement project. Brand new doors and windows with the latest energy-efficient design can profoundly increase the HVAC efficiency of your rental property. The right choices can also increase home security and durability against bad weather, as well.

 

8) Renovate with Reclaimed or Renewable Materials

If you're planning a major renovation, like a kitchen remodel or new flooring, look into eco-friendly building materials. Reclaimed wood and stone have been removed from previous installations, so they don't require any new harvesting. There are also fast-growing renewable materials like bamboo which can be cultivated so quickly that no new forest clear-cutting is necessary to fill the need for new bamboo boards and furniture.

 

9) Sustainable Landscaping

Landscape the outdoor areas of your rental property to maximize the weather patterns. If drought is a possibility, xeriscape with plants and rocky beds that need little water to stay beautiful. If your property is in a rainy region, shape your landscaping to irrigate the trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds with the rain runoff as it flows. If the seasons vary, collect water in a rain barrel that slowly irrigates the garden between wet and dry spells.

Planting with local wildlife can also help with sustainability, because local plants are best suited to survive the local climate.

 

10) Solar Panels

Lastly, if you really want to go all-out, consider installing solar panels on the roof of your rental home. Then secure a net-metering deal with the local power company so that sunny days offset the amount of electricity your property needs off the grid during the day.

 

Explore Eco-Friendly Rental Strategies with Leaf Management

At Leaf Management, we are as enthusiastic about sustainable rental homes as you are. We will gladly help you strategize and upgrade your rental properties for eco-friendliness through energy efficiency and more. Contact us today to discuss your sustainable rental home plans.

How to Create the Illusion of Space

 

Eight Ways to Make a Small Rental Home Feel More Spacious

There are many small rental homes and compact apartments in any city. They can be cozy, enjoyable places to live, but their appeal often depends more on design than on size. If you own a small rental space, a few creative changes and practical solutions can make a small rental home feel larger and more inviting to tenants. These changes combine visual appeal, efficient use of space, and spotlighting what makes each small rental home uniquely attractive.

 

1) Use a Palette of White Paint

We all know that light paint colors can make a space feel larger, but stuble changes in in your white palette are even more effective. Choose palette of whites with the lightest white for the ceiling and a slight shift in different white shades used from room to room. This will give the small rental home a feeling of greater depth, and will enhance the sense of beauty renters experience each day in their home.

 

2) Upgrade the Light Fixures

Rooms cast into shadow always feel smaller. Old flush light fixtures or rooms that don't have good central light often feel more cramped. A few practical upgrades can ensure that each room is filled with bright yet diffuse light that reaches every corner. This will allow you to emphasize the entire space that you have to work with.

 

3) Open Up the Kitchen

Enclosed kitchens can make any home feel cramped, no matter the floorplan. Embrace the open plan trend and open up the kitchen. Replace one enclosing wall and door with a friendly peninsula breakfast bar that provides access to the living room. This will allow the family chef to participate in conversations and media while they cook, invite the family to keep them company at the bar, and solve the breakfast nook question.

That open space between the living room and kitchen will also make both rooms feel larger and more welcoming.

 

4) Make the Flooring Flow

A small space can feel larger when one flooring type flows through the entire space. Laminate board has become very popular for this purpose. It looks and feels like beautiful wood flooring (in any color or grain you desire) but it is also extremely durable and water-resistant. Replace old carpets and outdated tile with full-home laminate board to enjoy both a visual and lifestyle quality upgrade in your small rental home.

 

5) Elongate the Window Treatments

Most rental homes have white mini-blinds. While practical, they do not enhance the apparent size of any room. Floor-to-ceiling window treatments make a room look taller and more spacious. You don't need to go all-out with drapes, but a near-ceiling curtain rod with filmy drapes that reach the floor provide both diffuse light and a sense of elegant spaciousness to any room.

 

6) Hidden or Outdoor Storage

Storage that is out of sight or outdoors can also help enhance the roominesss of a small rental home. Help your tenants store their seasonal supplies and outdoor gear out of their small living space to ensure that they can fully enjoy the full space of each room. For apartments, consider offering storage in designated parking areas such as locked vertical racks, lockers, and cabinets. For rental homes, you might add a storage shed or a covered storage area in the back yard.

 

7) Emphasize the Patio and Outdoor Space

Expand a small home's living area by including outdoor spaces. Partially enclose the patio or balcony of an apartment or townhome to turn it into your tenant's sunroom where chairs and tables can be enjoyed with some privacy. Or expand the deck of a single-family home to create a lovely outdoor living space that might significantly increase the total 'square footage' where your tenants can enjoy family life.

Manicuring any available outdoor space, private or shared, can also make a smaller home more enjoyable if outdoor activities are inviting and safe.

 

8) The Subtle Advantage of Air Quality

Take a final thought for the home's air quality, which has a psychological effect on our feelings of being open or closed in.  Having the HVAC serviced, the vents cleaned, and the airflow balanced can subtly make renters feel the home is larger when they tour in person, and enjoy the home more as residents.

 

Managing a Small Rental Home

Once you have made a few upgrades, your small rental home is sure to feel more spacious and appealing for tenants. If you are looking for an easy way to keep your small rental space occupied and well-managed, you can rely on a property management service like Leaf Management to take care of your property and your tenants while keeping you in the loop on each management decision.

How to Identify Neighborhoods for a Flip

 

What's in a Neighborhood? What to Look for When Locating a House to Flip

Whether buying or selling real estate, location means everything. Even the most head-turning and feature-rich homes are hard to offload when neighborhoods lack safety, walkability, and the right amenities. If you're attempting to build wealth by fixing and flipping properties, it's important to know how to scout areas that are guaranteed to attract motivated and qualified buyers.

Why Location Is So Important

When fixing and flipping a home, you can change every aspect of its layout and aesthetics. With a big enough budget, you can replace old, inefficient window ACs with ductless mini-split systems, pull up threadbare flooring, and swap low-cost stock cabinets out for real wood designs. You can knock down walls to create open-concept living spaces or convert unused attics and basements into functional bedrooms.

However, no matter how ambitious your design goals may be or how high your spending limit, you cannot change a home's location. This is the one aspect of a property that's guaranteed to remain static. Informed buyers are well aware of this fact. If a neighborhood doesn't feel safe or if isn't appealing to you personally, it's unlikely to appeal to your targeted market.

Easy and Convenient Commutes

At the top of nearly every smart homebuyer's list of essentials is an easy and convenient commute. Although you're likely to find many low-priced homes on the outskirts of town, few people are eager to spend hours each day getting to and from their jobs. Whether shopping for your next investment in a dense urban area or away from the hustle and bustle of the city, look for easy freeway access, well-maintained roads, and important, commute-related amenities. With plenty of gas stations, public EV charging stations, and open, easy-to-navigate streets, even fairly remote areas can be appealing to people who've prioritized easy commuting.

Green, Open Spaces

As beautiful as the interior of a recently renovated home might be, most people don't want to spend all of their time indoors. Nearby parks, hiking trails, and other green, open spaces are fantastic selling points. They're especially attractive to families with small children and rambunctious pets in search of their first homes.

Pet-Friendly Amenities

When you find potential flips in neighborhoods with lots of green, open spaces, check for pet-friendly amenities and regulations. Dog parks, grooming centers, and nearby veterinary clinics are all a huge plus for consumers who take their canine companions everywhere they go and want convenient ways to care for them.

Good Schools at Every Level of Learning

In an increasingly tough economy, household dynamics are fast-changing. It's not enough to look for good elementary, middle, and high schools. Instead, check for local universities, community colleges, and trade schools as well. This will make it easier to attract families with adult children who are living at home while completing higher learning. With the increasing number of age-in-place seniors sharing homes with adult children, it's also a good idea to search for flips in locations with adult daycares, senior rec centers, and other resources for the elderly.

Excellent Walkability Scores

The best neighborhoods have a diverse selection of local businesses. Residents can easily walk to the store for essentials or spend their afternoons relaxing at corner cafes. You can optimize your profits in the fix-and-flip business by looking for locations that are rich with bookstores, thrift stores, boutiques, and other non-essential but widely appreciated businesses.

Fresh, High-Quality Food

Avoid making your next fix or flip purchase in a food desert. Savvy home shoppers know just how important it is to have access to quality stores that stock high-quality foods. Look for locations that offer easy access to both popular, big box stores and specialty markets. You'll have an easier time reeling qualified buyers in when they know that their favorite butcher, baker, or organic produce stand is just around the corner. With fast-rising inflation and increasing food scarcity, quality, easy-to-access goods are a strong selling point. 

A Robust Job Market

Many buyers are searching for high-return investments of their own. Rathern than selling a primary residence, you might be selling someone's future rental home. Among the best things for prospective landlords to look for is a robust job market. This way, prospective tenants have guaranteed income and a reliable way to pay their rent. Look for low employment rates, desirable employers, and multiple options in commute transportation.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

There are also a few important red flags to watch for. In addition to the absence of a strong job market, good schools, green spaces, and convenient commute routes, be wary of:

• High crime rates
• Numerous houses for sale
• Failing businesses
• Cookie-cutter developments
• Insufficient street parking

Nothing makes a poor first impression on would-be buyers like a home that's surrounded by foreclosures but still has no off-street parking. The abandoned cars, ill-maintained sidewalks, and unkempt lawns of neighboring properties can drive your efforts to sell a fix-and-flip home to a grinding halt.