Blog Post

Electrical Upgrades That Can Attract Happy Tenants

Dustin Edwards • Apr 29, 2022

Electrical Upgrades Help Tenants and Landlords  Long Term

In modern times electricity is used daily and for almost everything. Most homes in Long Beach were built in the 1940’s when the use of electronics and appliances was limited to a television, radio and a refrigerator. Homes of the time also lacked good lighting(at least when you compare it to modern options), usually allocating an outlet powered by a switch or wall sconce as the main source of light.


Unfortunately many older houses can’t quite keep up with the power necessities used today. Tenants have become attracted to homes that can accommodate their personal electronics as well as home offices.


While you might have considered larger
rental property upgrades before, we invite you to consider select electrical upgrades that appeal to modern tenants. For electrical upgrades we recommend hiring a trusted and qualified electrician for these jobs.


Recessed Can Lighting

As previously stated, many homes in Long Beach don’t have the best lighting due to their age. A fantastic way to increase lighting and modernize a rental is with recessed can lighting. Getting rid of ugly and dated lighting fixtures for recessed can lights can not only bring great lighting to any room, but makes rooms look significantly more spacious. 


You will find options available at specialty lighting stores or more general stores like the Home Depot or Lowes that allow you to select different sizes and trim styles. Many of the can lights come with your choice of light temperature from daylight to  warm white. With the majority of recessed lights being LEDs, they can help keep tenant’s electric bills low. 


Ceiling Fans

When hiring an electrician for lighting, ask them about installing fans as well. This can help with a couple of things. Living in Long Beach, having a fan in each room feels like a must. Whether your rental has central air conditioning, a fan gives your tenant a more economical option to stay cool. Ceiling fans also ensure proper ventilation and airflow which is a major component to preventing mold growth. 


As an added tip. If you had your electrician remove a central light, having a fan installed in the same location can save you money in patching costs.


Modernized Receptacles

Simply switching old electrical receptacles with receptacles with USB charging ports in bedrooms and countertops can be alluring to tenants. If you have a larger budget, you can also add more receptacles around the house. In modern homes most rooms have 1 outlet per wall, or more depending on how long the walls are. If you are planning on offering your rental with one of the rooms as an office, you should definitely consider adding sufficient receptacles.


Many houses built in the 40’s tend to have only a few circuits for the entire house. Consider upgrading the rentals’ panel.  A 100 amp service upgrade can have up to 40 circuits or 200 amp service which can have as many as 80 circuits. Having extra unused spaces helps to future proof the rental as well. As an example, 6 circuits are used in modern kitchens alone, whereas in the 40’s you would only have one and it might even be shared with other rooms.


Outdoor Lighting

Efficient outdoor lighting can attract happy tenants in more ways than one. Having exterior lights with photocell sensors (sensors sensitive to light) can give your tenants peace of mind knowing that the outdoor lights are only ever on when it is dark. When combined with a switch that can be controlled from within the house, tenants still keep the option to turn off lights as well.


Outdoor lights with motion sensors have the added benefit of security. They can alert tenants if there is someone on the property. They have also been shown to discourage people like porch thieves and trespassers. Motion sensor lights are also a practical solution when arriving home after the sun has set and it becomes difficult to see.


If you have any questions about electrical upgrades that can help attract tenants, or need help finding the right electrical upgrades for your rental feel free to call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our
free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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