Ask the Swindon lettings expert!
Mon 15 Jun 2015
Chris Dewhurst, DIRECTOR
Dewhurst & Co - Helping present rental properties in Swindon since 1996
Presenting your Property to Tenants: Dress to impress! Dress to rent! If three decades managing properties for landlords has taught me one thing it’s this: most tenants DO judge a book by its cover! If a landlord has made little or no effort to make the place inviting, prospective tenants will simply look elsewhere. And in most cases, I am not talking a DIY SOS or a Kirstie Allsopp full makeover, either! Just a good clear up and fresh bed linen can make all the difference.
Presenting your property in the right way will help you rent you it out quickly and achieve the maximum rent. And in the longer run, tenants will stay longer in properties that are well presented and well maintained.
Being well-presented doesn’t just mean the condition of the property, but the way it’s dressed. Ideally, beds should be made and dressed with coloured cushions and throws, tables laid, towels put in the bathrooms, and all mirrors and pictures hung on the walls. Tenants are discerning and the difference between a dressed and a poorly furnished property is enormous and will affect the rental value. For landlords, it’s a small investment and the return always outweighs the cost.
If you are a buy-to-let landlord who has just purchased a brand-new apartment/house, don’t water down the impact of your new property by dressing it with tired looking furniture, cheap blinds, or second hand white goods. Spending a little more money on flooring, curtains, light fittings, bathroom fittings and new white goods can make a big impact on the rental yield and how quickly the property can be rented. In newer developments like Redhouse or Taw Hill, we often find that tenants will go for the property that is “better dressed”, even if the building’s location or aspect is worse.
As a rule, most unfurnished rental properties come with carpets, curtains, light fittings, bathroom fitting and white goods. In furnished properties, tenants would expect the landlord to provide beds, sofas, and wardrobes, and in some cases, bedding, crockery and cutlery.
Tenants can be intimidated if the owner is present at viewings - they sometimes rush the viewing because they feel they’re causing an inconvenience or forget to ask relevant questions - so if possible we recommend letting us do the viewings for you. We will arrive 10 minutes before the viewing to open windows to air the flat, or switch on the lights and heating; hide piles of free post … even tuck dirty socks under a cushion (yes, I’ve really done that!). We will ensure you get all feedback from viewings, positive or negative, so you can act on it accordingly.
As more than 80% of applicants start their search online, having good high-resolution photos that sell the best aspects of the property and floor plans are also crucial. Dewhurst’s professional photographers will make sure your property is shown in the very best light.
Marketing a property is about incentivising potential renters and staying ahead of the competition. Securing a tenant and maximising income is down to how a property feels the moment you walk through the door. There are four main deterrents for potential tenants, evidence of pets, children, tobacco smells and chip pans. The most important thing is to make it feel like a home. Declutter and depersonalise the property so anyone can imagine themselves living there.
If you would like some advice on how to dress up your property to maximise your rental yield, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We’re here to help!
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Mike’s Top 10 Tips for Successful Viewings
1. Two key words: CLEAN & TIDY!
2. Kerb appeal: make sure your property looks spick & span from the outside
3. Put tiles, laminate or wood floorings in kitchen/bathroom; NOT carpet
4. Paint it! Redecorating can make all the difference
5. Maintenance: Get minor jobs done before viewings
6. Storage – provide as much as possible
7. Get rid of clutter
8. Keep the property warm in winter, cool in summer
9. Most tenants prefer low maintenance gardens
10. Two more key words: CLEAN & TIDY!
Mike Dewhurst works closely with both existing and new landlords, giving them advice on capital growth and yields. He is also able to advice on suitable Buy-to-Let investment opportunities having worked in Swindon since 1982. His knowledge of both new homes and second hand properties in the Swindon area and villages is second to none.
Dewhurst & Co – We Know Swindon, We Know Lettings