Blog Post

Smart Property Updates that Can Add Convenience for Your Tenant

Dustin Edwards • Jun 19, 2021

You Might Find the Smarter the Rental...the Happier the Tenant

Smart Rental
In today’s digital age, technology has become a fundamental aspect of our lives. Especially inside the home. When looking for a new rental, many people want a modern place that incorporates the latest high-tech innovations. 

Updating your Long Beach rental to meet these new standards of living can be crucial to staying competitive and cultivating a convenient space for your tenants.

The following are some of the various technological additions to consider for your Long Beach property to become a smart rental

Smart Bulbs
If you plan to incorporate a smart speaker into your Long Beach rental, you might want to consider installing smart bulbs as well. Smart bulbs are lights that your tenant can turn on and off simply by asking their smart speaker or using their smartphone. Thus, smart bulbs eliminate the need to get up and flip a switch, which is especially convenient when your tenant is already tucked into bed. Tenants can also set up routines for the smart bulbs to regularly turn themselves on and off. 

Furthermore, the most popular smart bulbs brands, such as Philips Hue and NiteBird, are LED lights that can change color. As such, not only are these bulbs energy-efficient, but they can also create vibrant and emotive ambiances for your tenant. 

Smart bulbs range in cost from $15 to $50 on a per bulb basis. It’s not required to add smart bulbs in every room of the house. It is recommended to add them to the rooms that will add the most convenience for the tenant. You might consider the master bedroom, living room, or other highly used areas.

USB Wall Outlets
With all the devices on the market now (smartphones, computers, tablets, smartwatches, etc), it is imperative that your tenant has plenty of electrical outlets. Most of the aforementioned devices do not require standard three-prong plugs to charge. Rather, they can simply plug into USB ports. Installing wall outlets with USB ports adds extra space to ensure that your tenant can charge as many devices as possible. Plus, USB ports tend to charge devices faster and, therefore, conserve energy. 

Altogether, USB wall outlets are one of the easiest ways to improve your rental with a low-cost and relatively simple installation process. 

You can get a 3 pack of USB wall outlets from Home Depot in the $55-$65 range. This is an item, if you are electrically inclined, you could do over a weekend prior to renting out your property. We recommend installing these in bedrooms and maybe one or two in a kitchen (away from water source of course).

Ceiling Fans
Though the sea breeze is usually refreshing enough for Long Beach rentals, there are always those scorching hot days when some extra cooling is necessary. Instead of putting in an air conditioner, installing a few ceiling fans around your property can supply enough fresh air to keep your tenants cool and comfortable.

Additionally, running a ceiling fan throughout the day is an eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternative to air conditioners that can notoriously hike up electricity bills and waste energy. Especially since, in Southern California, air conditioning is far from essential. 

Smart Speakers
Over the past few years, smart speakers have grown from an insignificant and unfamiliar item to a staple in many households. Now, there are numerous brands available, most notably Amazon Echo, Google Nest, and Apple HomePod. All of them share similar designs and features. And while you might think these are best suited for short term rentals, they can be a match for your long term rental as well.

For starters, smart speakers can play music and podcasts, either by pairing to a bluetooth device (ex: smartphone) or streaming via an internet connection. 

Additionally, they can provide you with quick answers to simple questions. For example, “what is 19 + 89?” 

Smart speakers can also make calls, set timers, recommend recipes, conduct online purchases, and facilitate news updates. Some newer models even incorporate built-in screens that can play films, TV shows, YouTube, music videos, and more. 

Adding a smart speaker to your rental can make it more appealing to your tenant, as it gives them an impressive virtual assistant that will only become more advanced over time. 

Smart speakers range in cost from $30-$60. They are affordable and add a modern touch to your rental.

Upgrading your Long Beach rental to craft a more convenient and modern space will help you stay ahead of the competitors. If you are looking for a property management company to help you with these modernizations, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can check out our Free Rental Analysis 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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