If you’re preparing an older Mechanicsville rental property for new tenants, you may be weighing on particular ways to renovate the home, hoping to appeal to a new generation of renters. Though, before you start tearing out or painting over things, there are one or a number of features in older homes that you shouldn’t refinish or alter at all. Not only are these features that lend a home elegance and character but, as a matter of fact, trying to change them may end up being way more expensive than it’s worth. Before you alter any unique features of your property, evaluate the benefits of keeping the features on our list.
Hardwood Floors
You may be contemplating only about the long-term maintenance involved. Don’t be so fast to take out or cover up hardwood flooring. Both you and your tenants can appreciate the beauty of a hardwood floor, and it may even totally help boost your property value. Just think of all the carpet cleaning you can gladly avoid after each move-out.
Exposed Beams and Mantels
In the same vein, if your property has wooden mantels or exposed ceiling beams, think twice before you decide on removing or painting them. Natural wood features continue to be exceedingly popular with homeowners and renters and add a warm beauty and appeal to any room. Refinish a wooden mantel or leave your rustic wood beams in its current condition, lending a charming farmhouse feel that will more than likely distinguish your rental.
Millwork, Arches, and Pocket Doors
Older homes, particularly those built before the turn of the twentieth century, normally have unique design features, take for example distinctive crown molding, arched doorways, pocket doors, and even medallions and other trim on the ceilings and walls. Much as such characteristics may not seem to have a place in modern architecture, think again! Such unique details are trendy and in demand nowadays, which will only considerably add to your rental property’s appeal.
Stained Glass
Another notably unique feature often found in older homes is stained glass. Stained glass windows have had their peaks and troughs in popularity through the years, and while some people might not really value it, others find them extremely charming. Though that doesn’t explain why you should tear it out.
Colored glass panes greatly help add light to dark spaces while keeping privacy. In addition, you can always move the stained glass panes to a less perceivable place in the house, namely a bathroom window. This will effectively help preserve the home’s unique style and history while enabling you to appeal to a wide range of renters.
Banquettes and Butler Pantries
After many years of homes built without utility rooms and built-in features, the appeal and demand for these valuable elements has returned stronger than ever. Accordingly, if your older rental home has a butler pantry (small room next to the kitchen) or banquettes (built-in bench seating), you should evaluate keeping them. Homeowners and renters alike adore the utility and convenience of built-ins, while a butler pantry makes a marvelous coffee station, work, or storage area.
Planning a rental property renovation is always a demanding challenge. Still, it’s vital not to pass over the appeal of your property’s unique details. Rather than trying to remove them, working with them can significantly contribute to adding character, charm, and value to your property.
Would you like to understand more about creating a rental property that tenants will love? Rely on the local experts at Real Property Management Gold. You can call us at 301-392-2172 or contact us online.
Originally Published on October 29, 2021
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