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How to Bring Added Benefit For Your Tenants With Upgrades To The Garage

Dustin Edwards • Dec 15, 2023

Depending on the age of your rental property, the garage may be going unused for its intended purposes. As cars continue to get bigger, what used to be a sizable two-car garage now only fits one, and a single-car garage is often used as storage because cars simply do not fit in them anymore.


Instead of just letting the garage exist as a glorified shed, why not provide your garage with upgrades from which your tenant will benefit. While doing this can be a significant investment, remember that having a healthy relationship with your tenant is a great way to minimize vacancies. After all, if a rental is empty, you’re losing passive income and may need to pay out of pocket to prepare it for the next tenant.


Below are a few ideas to help benefit your tenant through upgrades you can do to the garage.


Finish the Interior

Many garages were built with the express purpose of storing one or two vehicles. It's not uncommon to see the interior of a garage exhibiting an unfinished interior. You often see exposed wall studs, concrete floors, and unfinished ceilings. A common trait these garages have is a single stop light in the center of the room that struggles to illuminate the corners.


If you notice that your current and past tenants need to use the garage to park their cars, consider adding the final touches to finish the garage's interior. You may be required to pull permits depending on the location of the garage and your local laws. Be sure to consult with a professional before remodeling your garage. Consider insulation, ventilation, electrical, and flooring depending on your intentions for the garage's future. Remember that you want to maintain the function of the garage in case a future tenant wants to protect their vehicle from the elements.


Epoxy flooring can be a great solution to give the interior a finished look while keeping the functionality of the garage to allow cars in and out without damage to the flooring.


Additional Storage

If the garage is on the smaller side, consider repurposing the garage as a dedicated storage location. You can achieve this by adding several storage racks along the garage walls. This can help you maximize your vertical storage, increasing the available floor space to store items. Overhead storage is often overlooked because it can't be mounted on lower ceilings. While these overhead racks need to be installed directly onto wood, which limits their location, they are often rated for heavy loads and keep items out of the way. This great storage solution only takes up a little floor space. 


Home Office

Working from home has become incredibly popular in the last few years, especially with millennials. A home office can significantly benefit your tenant if this is the case. When converting a garage into an office setting, your primary consideration should be lighting. Try to mimic an office setting to help your tenant get into the mindset of working. If budget permits, a desk, chair, and accessible electrical outlets will also be helpful.


Home Gym

A healthy alternative to an empty garage is a home gym. For many, gyms can be intimidating, especially when starting out. Many people have busy schedules and only have a few minutes a day to exercise. Providing an area to work out at home may be a solution that attracts health-conscious tenants. This is an excellent asset to your rental.


While these are only a few ideas on repurposing an unused garage, remember that you can combine and adjust these features to your tenant's needs. If you are looking for other ways to upgrade your rental garage or need help emanating from your portfolio, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our
Owner Application online.

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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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