Updated March 28, 2022
With more than 75,000 people moving into Atlanta, Georgia's state capital was ranked as the fourth fastest-growing metropolitan area in 2018. This is good news for rental property owners, as a major percentage of the demographic moving into the area are young employees and job seekers.
Many millennials believe that it is cheaper to rent a home rather than buy one—or at the very least, they are currently facing serious hurdles to homeownership that make it more feasible to rent one of the Atlanta fine homes for the time being. This means many well-cared-for Atlanta homes will have no shortage of potential renters.
However, as a rental property owner, one of the worst mistakes you can make is assuming that your property’s value will automatically appreciate due to this demand. That said, there are simple upgrades and improvements that will help you retain great renters—or attract those willing to pay a little bit more for your property.
Consider these rental property upgrades for your rental houses in Atlanta, Georgia!
Use Technology
Smartphone use only continues to rise and is a staple among renters from Generation Z to Baby Boomers. It is only right that you leverage on this by adding gadgets that are easy to program and can be controlled remotely.
Smart Lighting
- One of the technological upgrades you can make without breaking the bank is by installing smart bulbs.
- Your renters can turn the lights on or off remotely or even change their color to create the right mood.
Smart Security
- Boost your rental property’s security by installing smart locks in place of the regular deadbolts.
- These range from basic models that allow one entry through numerical keypads to biometric systems.
- With smart locks, you do not have to rekey the doors every time tenants move out, as you only need to reset their codes.
You can also upgrade rental property by adding smart thermostats, installing motion-sensing lights, and installing smart carbon dioxide or smoke detectors, among others.
Boost Curb Appeal
Potential renters can decide whether to check your property’s interior or keep on driving based on its exterior appearance. While improving your rental property’s exterior may not be as exciting as upgrading its interior, it plays a key role in retaining current residents—and attracting new ones.
- Replacing (or adding) shutters and painting the front door or window trim are inexpensive ways of making your rental property appear more welcoming.
- Apart from trimming the hedges and mowing the lawn, you can add potted plants on the patio or near the front door.
- Planting year-round trees with nice canopies is also an effective way of improving your Atlanta rental property’s curb appeal.
- Remove any clutter from the curb and pressure wash the driveways and walkways. Your yard should also be free from dangerous objects or hidden holes.
However, as with all aesthetic upgrades, make sure that these suggestions for your rental houses in Atlanta, Georgia, are in line with the city’s regulations and those of your neighborhood or HOA.
Choose Efficiency
Sustainability and environmental conservation have become quite commonplace over the past few years. While your typical homeowner may appear to have an advantage over renters when it comes to ‘going green,' investors can still make updates that appeal to concerned residents.
Check Windows
- Double-glazing the windows reduces heat loss and reduces noise pollution.
- Insulating the attic (if you have one) rather than insulating the whole house is also an effective way of reducing heat loss.
- Draft-proof your rental property by sealing any gaps around windows, doors, between floorboards, and covering open chimneys.
With more than 75,000 people moving into Atlanta, Georgia's state capital was ranked as the fourth fastest-growing metropolitan area in 2018. This is good news for rental property owners, as a major percentage of the demographic moving into the area are young employees and job seekers.
Many millennials believe that it is cheaper to rent a home rather than buy one—or at the very least, they are currently facing serious hurdles to homeownership that make it more feasible to rent for the time being. This means many well-cared-for Atlanta homes will have no shortage of potential renters.
However, as a rental property owner, one of the worst mistakes you can make is assuming that your property’s value will automatically appreciate due to this demand. That said, there are simple upgrades and improvements that will help you retain great renters—or attract those willing to pay a little bit more for your property.
Consider these rental property upgrades for your rental houses in Atlanta, Georgia!
Use Technology
Smartphone use only continues to rise and is a staple among renters from Generation Z to Baby Boomers. It is only right that you leverage on this by adding gadgets that are easy to program and can be controlled remotely.
Smart Lighting
- One of the technological upgrades you can make without breaking the bank is by installing smart bulbs.
- Your renters can turn the lights on or off remotely or even change their color to create the right mood.
Smart Security
- Boost your rental property’s security by installing smart locks in place of the regular deadbolts.
- These range from basic models that allow one entry through numerical keypads to biometric systems.
- With smart locks, you do not have to rekey the doors every time tenants move out, as you only need to reset their codes.
You can also upgrade rental property by adding smart thermostats, installing motion-sensing lights, and installing smart carbon dioxide or smoke detectors, among others.
Boost Curb Appeal
Potential renters can decide whether to check your property’s interior or keep on driving based on its exterior appearance. While improving your rental property’s exterior may not be as exciting as upgrading its interior, it plays a key role in retaining current residents—and attracting new ones.
- Replacing (or adding) shutters and painting the front door or window trim are inexpensive ways of making your rental property appear more welcoming.
- Apart from trimming the hedges and mowing the lawn, you can add potted plants on the patio or near the front door.
- Planting year-round trees with nice canopies is also an effective way of improving your Atlanta rental property’s curb appeal.
- Remove any clutter from the curb and pressure wash the driveways and walkways. Your yard should also be free from dangerous objects or hidden holes.
However, as with all aesthetic upgrades, make sure that these suggestions for your rental houses in Atlanta, Georgia, are in line with the city’s regulations and those of your neighborhood or HOA.
Choose Efficiency
Sustainability and environmental conservation have become quite commonplace over the past few years. While your typical homeowner may appear to have an advantage over renters when it comes to ‘going green,' investors can still make updates that appeal to concerned residents.
Check Windows
- Double-glazing the windows reduces heat loss and reduces noise pollution.
- Insulating the attic (if you have one) rather than insulating the whole house is also an effective way of reducing heat loss.
- Draft-proof your rental property by sealing any gaps around windows, doors, between floorboards, and covering open chimneys.
Better Lighting
- Switching to LED bulbs is an inexpensive way of improving your property’s energy efficiency without compromising on the light quality.
- LEDs also have a longer lifespan compared to incandescent bulbs and have considerably reduced in price.
Water Savings
Whether you are taking care of your property’s utility bills or your renters will, installing water-saving devices in your property will add to its appeal.
- Installing faucet aerators help reduce water flow while improving the water’s pressure.
- They are also inexpensive upgrades that can be added to existing faucets.
Statistics estimate that showering accounts for nearly 17% of any residence’s water usage.
- Installing low-flow showerheads not only helps you conserve water but also reduces carbon emissions as they use less energy.
- Installing dual flush toilets is also an effective way of saving your rental property’s water consumption.
Other cheap but energy-efficient upgrades you could carry out on your rental property include installing programmable thermostats and replacing air filters. The latter is considered a part of excellent rental property maintenance when you own rental houses in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pick High-Quality Flooring
High-quality flooring for your rental property is a fool-proof way of ensuring a return on your investment. However, installing floors such as hardwood or engineered wood can be quite pricey.
- Modern renters are likely to prefer wood, laminate, tile, or vinyl over conventional carpeting.
- Fortunately, there are plenty of flooring options in the market today that are durable, stylish, and pocket-friendly.
- Installing durable floors for your Atlanta rental property also translates to lower turnover and maintenance costs.
The advantages of upgrading your Atlanta homes for rent go beyond mere appearances. You will enhance your property’s value and improve its annual cap rate. Most importantly, such upgrades will nurture healthy relationships between you and your renters!
In an active rental market like the Greater Atlanta area, these upgrades will make your property stand out over your competition. However, not every type of upgrade is ideal for every rental property. You'll need an expert eye on the research to determine where to spend your money to boost your property's value.
What do we look for when preparing Atlanta homes for rent? Learn more when you download your free copy of our Makeready Checklist!
