Blog Post

What Appliances Should be Furnished in Your Rental?

Dustin Edwards • Oct 12, 2021

The Right Appliances Can Keep Tenants Happy and Help You Earn Top Rental Rates

Kitchen with Furnished Appliances
Many first-time landlords may wonder if they should furnish their Long Beach rental. After all, a furnished property has a higher rent than an unfurnished one. However, furnished properties need extra care and maintenance. Not to mention, furniture requires replacing over time, either from tenant misuse or expected deterioration.  

Due to these various factors, most long-term rentals are not fully furnished. More commonly, short-term rentals (i.e. Airbnbs) are fully furnished as these properties are usually only inhabited for days or weeks at a time. 

That being said, you may still want to consider minimal furnishing in particular areas of your long-term rental. These added details can intrigue and excite tenants, who will appreciate having to pack or purchase less furniture. 

Below are some of the areas we suggest furnishing in your Long Beach rental. 

Outdoor Living Space
Tenants will appreciate having a place where they can relax and enjoy the year-round California sun. Designing a spacious outdoor living space can give your Long Beach rental a competitive edge that others may lack. Comfortable lounge seats, a dining set, and a grill are all wonderful furnishings for crafting a pleasant and engaging area perfect for laid-back leisure or joyous partying. Wayfair and Home Depot both have an immense selection of patio furniture to choose from. 

Though typically more expensive, a built-in grill can make an outdoor living space even more appealing. Grills can be built into wooden or stone cabinets with granite, marble, or other countertops, therefore elevating an outdoor cooking area to a full-on outdoor kitchen. Countertop space provides ample room for food, plates, and grilling equipment, as well as a workspace for your tenants. You can even include a sink, minifridge, and other outdoor appliances. Home Depot provides a range of options for outdoor appliances, cabinets, and countertops. 

Additionally, consider putting a shade structure above your outdoor living space to help your tenants stay cool on warmer days or dry on rainy days. 

Overall, an expansive and tasteful outdoor living space can be a rewarding investment that significantly interests tenants. 

Kitchen
Though they may seem customary to most rentals, landlords are not legally obligated to include kitchen appliances. Nevertheless, many rentals do come with appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and microwaves, that are arguably necessities for tenants to live comfortably and to justify paying a competitive rental amount.

Many tenants will see a furnished kitchen as a positive aspect of your Long Beach rental and further demonstrate the quality of your rental. While some tenants may already own appliances that they would like to install, your fully furnished rental will be more appealing to the majority of applicants. 

Laundry
Similar to kitchen appliances, landlords are not legally obligated to include a washer and dryer. However, it may be beneficial to establish a laundry room in your Long Beach rental or, if you lack sufficient space, add a washer and dryer to the kitchen. Tenants will appreciate being able to clean their clothes in their own space instead of at a laundromat. 

Obviously, if your Long Beach rental is part of a larger complex (i.e. a condo, or even a duplex) with its own communal laundry area, then this addition would prove redundant and unnecessary. 

All the above furnishings can act as impressive bonuses for potential tenants and may be the ultimate factor that makes them choose your rental over another. If you would like more assistance regarding furnishing your Long Beach rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our online Rental Analysis.

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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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