Maintaining rental property is a delicate balancing act. You want to do enough to keep it looking nice without spending money that isn’t justified. The most common task needed between tenants is painting. The ordinary wear and tear of residential living will leave the walls scuffed, scratched, and grimy. A fresh coat will go a long way toward improving the appeal of the unit when you show it to the prospective next tenant. Think about these points as you prepare to paint your residential rental property in Lawrence KS.
When to Paint
Quality paint will easily last for several years before it shows its age. However, certain circumstances will call for more frequent repainting. The most common is smoking, which leaves behind a yellowish film and a distinctive odor. You may also need to repaint due to pet damage such as scratch marks or stains from poorly housetrained animals. These situations call for a coat of paint with primer.
Small stains like crayons and markers can often be removed, but the kitchen may have greasy stains that must be painted over with a quality primer and paint. Certain dyes are also too much to scrub away and will require fresh paint. Think about these points as you consider finding room painting services.
Why Paint Your Rental Home?
When in doubt, you’ll find that painting is worthwhile. It’s a simple, inexpensive, and safe way to improve your property’s appeal. It will help you maximize rent and occupancy. Today’s investment with professional house painters will pay for itself over time. Search “house painters in my area” to get started.
What Type of Paint Should Be Used?
Your professional house painters could use high-end paint and get a durable finish that will look great for years to come. However, no paint job looks as good when the home is totally empty. Even the best paint will still show wear and tear when the furniture is gone and the damage is visible. At the same time, you don’t want to go with the cheapest available paint, either. Your tenants will watch it deteriorate, increasing the likelihood that they’ll move out.
Somewhere in the middle of paint grades is probably where you want to be, in a paint that will hold up long enough to maintain a nice look for the typical lease length without being a waste of money if you must paint over it later. Go with a semi-gloss finish that will tolerate a little more wear and be easier to clean, and be sure you’ve applied a quality primer first so that unpleasant odors and tough stains are thoroughly sealed in.
As far as color, go with a neutral shade. Tenants will be able to add accents using décor they already own. White is too sterile and far too susceptible to stains. Bold colors are likely to clash with the occupant’s décor and will require more work to cover up at the next transition.
Prioritize the Important Rooms
Potential tenants look at functional spaces first. They want to know that the kitchen and bathrooms are in good working order and that they look nice. When you begin planning your paint projects, make sure you do these rooms first. This will ensure that you get the most impact from your investment.
In addition, most tenants will have photographs, large mirrors, and other decorations on the walls in the bedrooms and hallways, so it’s less likely that the imperfections in those areas will be seen at all. Bathrooms and kitchens also have the most stains from food, soap, hair spray, and other messy products.
As the weather breaks, families are looking to relocate. The more you do to prepare your units, the better they’ll look when those ideal tenants come to see them. Get those projects done soon so that you are ready to show when they are ready to look. Our team at Absolute Painting in Lawrence KS will guide you through choosing the right type and color of paint for each room in your rental unit and help you get the job done on time and on budget. We’re always mindful of your need to watch the bottom line as well as the calendar, so you can count on us to keep your property business on track. Give us a call to discuss your options today. We’ll gladly answer your questions and help you plan an effective and affordable paint job in your rental property.