As a rental property owner, you can market your property as furnished or unfurnished. While an unfurnished property may require less effort to maintain, a furnished property is able to go for a higher price. However, some might associate the term “furnished” with the idea that the owner provides everything from appliances, to furniture, or even décor. While some properties might benefit from being fully furnished and decorated, most furnished properties include only basic appliances and sometimes furniture. For those considering whether furnishing your property would be beneficial, we put together a list of some of the basic appliances you can include that will generally allow you to list your property as furnished, without breaking the bank.
Even though you are not required by law to fit your rental properties with all the appliances, it does help to do so, especially if you want to be able to charge more per month.
Furnishing a rental home is usually all about understanding what people need versus what people want. A few extra luxuries can go a long way with getting attracting tenants to your property, but the essentials are what will seal the deal.
Here are some recommended appliances to include in your rental property investment, not in any particular order:
- Washer and Dryer
A washing machine is a major necessity in a typical American household. Offering a washer and dryer as part of your property can be extremely attractive to prospective tenants who might not have the means to get their own, especially young families. While going to a laundromat or on-site laundry facility is usually an option, many people might rather pay a higher water and electricity bill than have to leave their home and use change to pay for their laundry.
- Refrigerator
This is something that everyone needs to have these days, so if you can include a refrigerator in your rental property, you will find that people are generally more than willing to pay a bit extra for the convenience of not having to bring their own.
- Air Conditioning Unit
Whether or not you have air conditioning in your rental properties can be a major deal-breaker for many people. There are not many families who will be happy to live without this appliance, especially during Birmingham’s hot summer months.
- Dishwasher
A dishwasher is a luxury appliance that many people want and might even feel like they need, especially with people’s lives becoming busier by the day. Try to find one that is water and energy-efficient in order to maximize your profits and save money on utility bills.
5. Smart TV
Providing a TV, in general, is not always necessary for furnished rental housing, but can really give you a step up in attracting tenants. Including a large, smart TV in your rental property will give the place a more luxurious feel. Some people might already have their own TV, but if there is one in the unit already, they can use their own in the bedroom. This is especially useful for families: parents can watch their programs in their bedroom while their children watch in the living room.
6. Vacuum Cleaner
Including a vacuum cleaner in your rental properties is a great way to make sure that the tenants do not have any excuse not to keep the place clean. A stick vacuum isn’t very heavy-duty, but it can be tucked away pretty much anywhere, which is nice for smaller apartments with less storage space.
If you are looking for an experienced, professional property management company in Birmingham, Specialized Property Management can help! We can help you decide what will get you the most bang for your buck because we know what tenants want and need in a rental home. For more information, call us at 205-417-1475 or contact us online today!