If you’re preparing an older Cary rental property for new tenants, you may be evaluating styles and ways to renovate the home and, perhaps hoping to appeal to a new generation of renters. But listen, before you institute tearing out or painting over things, there are a handful of features in older homes that you shouldn’t refinish or alter. Not only are these features that lend a home beauty, elegance, and character but, as a matter fact, trying to change them may end up being much more expensive than it’s worth. Before you alter any unique features of your property, examine the benefits of keeping the features on our list.
Hardwood Floors
You may be thinking only about the long-term maintenance involved. Don’t be too fast to take out or cover up hardwood flooring. Both you and your tenants can truly enjoy with the beauty of a hardwood floor, and it may even help significantly boost your property values. Just think of all the carpet cleaning you can elude after each move-out.
Exposed Beams and Mantels
In this same manner, if your property has wooden mantels or exposed ceiling beams, think twice before ever deciding to remove or paint over them. Natural wood features remain immensely popular with homeowners and renters and add a warm elegance and beauty to any room. Refinish a wooden mantel or leave your rustic wood beams just the way they are, lending a charming farmhouse feel that will surely distinguish your rental.
Millwork, Arches, and Pocket Doors
Older homes, particular those built before the turn of the twentieth century, frequently have unique design features, as an illustration of distinctive crown molding, arched doorways, pocket doors, and even medallions and other trim on the ceilings and walls. While such elements may not seem to have a place in modern architecture, think again! Such unique details are trendy and in demand once again, which will only exceedingly add to your rental property’s appeal.
Stained Glass
Another particularly unique feature often found in older homes is stained glass. Stained glass windows have had their ebbs and flows in popularity over the years, and while some people might not actually appreciate them, others find them truly charming. But, on the other hand, that doesn’t signify you should tear it out.
Colored glass panes greatly help add light to dark spaces while fostering privacy. Besides, you can always move the stained glass panes to a less noticeable place in the house, by way of example a bathroom window. This will help preserve the home’s unique style and history while easily allowing you to appeal to a wide range of renters.
Banquettes and Butler Pantries
After years and years of homes built without utility rooms and built-in features, interest and demand for these valuable elements have returned stronger than ever. For that reason, if your older rental home has a butler pantry (small room next to the kitchen) or banquettes (built-in bench seating), you should examine about keeping them. Homeowners and renters alike love the utility and convenience of built-ins, while a butler pantry makes a terrific coffee station, work, or storage area.
Planning a rental property renovation is always a complex challenge. But keep in mind, it’s really important not to disregard the appeal of your property’s unique details. Rather than trying to take them out, working with them can immensely contribute toward adding character, charm, and value to your property.
Would you like to find out more about creating a rental property that tenants will love? You can place your confidence in the local experts at Real Property Management Wake County. Feel free to call us at 919-747-3488 or contact us online.
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