How to Rent Your Property in Walnut Creek

by | May 14, 2012 | Landlord Blog, Owner Education | 1 comment


Owning property is an investment and like any they are long-term and take time. Your end goal as a landlord is to make income from your property. In order to accomplish this goal, you need to find reliable quality tenants.

However, to first attract these prospective tenants you need to make sure your unit is in a rent ready state. There’s nothing a landlord wants more than a new tenant calling throughout the day and night saying “this” or “that” doesn’t work.

Based on our more than 20 years of experience in property management for the Walnut Creek area, we have compiled a list of things landlords can do to rent their property faster and at the higher rent dollar.

  1. Check doors to make sure they all open and close properly.
  2. Check windows, screens, and blinds to ensure they are all work and there are no holes.
  3. Check that all appliances are operational.
  4. Ensure electrical and plumbing is in good order by checking switches, plugs, wires, etc.
  5. If it has been several years since you painted the unit or the walls are dirty and scuffed up, repaint. Try lighter or neutral colors to make the rooms look cleaner and more spacious.
  6. Take a look at your carpets. Has the carpet been in the home for a long period of time? It is time to replace the pad as well? If your answers are yes, you probably want to spend some money on replacing the carpet. Meanwhile, if the carpet is in good shape, you definitely want to have it professionally cleaned.
  7. If your kitchen and bathrooms are outdated, go through and replace all cabinet pulls, faucets, handles and light fixtures. These are simple updates that only come at a minor cost.
  8. You want potential to have a great first impression of your unit, so make sure when they drive the property has good curb appeal. Be sure the lawn is mowed and freshly watered, brushes and hedges are trimmed, flowers are planted, and no weeds are coming through the cracks in the drive way.
  9. Cleanliness is one of the biggest contributing factors to renting a property quickly. When you clean make sure you cleanse the entire unit including toilets, sinks, tubs, appliances, windows, closets, etc. Essentially, clean everything and anything.
  10. Lastly, before a prospective tenant views your rental unit, open the blinds, clean the windows, put air fresheners throughout the home, and turn on all lights.

When potential tenants see how you maintain your property, it gives them an idea of how you’ll be as landlord and how it will be working with you in the future. So, be sure your rental unit gives people great first impressions.
By following these easy tips any landlord in the Walnut Creek area can land an excellent tenant that will not only increase their income, but treat their rental unit with care.