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Thinking of Engaging an Architect to Improve Your Rental Property?

Dustin Edwards • Mar 18, 2022

An Architect Could Bring Valuable Ideas to Improve or Increase Your Long Beach Rental Property

There are many reasons why you could improve your Long Beach rental property. When you engage with an architect be sure to request references of previous projects both completed and in various stages of construction. Especially when considering using an architect for a rental property, ask the architect about their experience specifically with rental properties as the approach differs dramatically when compared with a personal residence.  Be clear with them about your ideas as well as your budget. Ask clarifying questions about costs and timeframes.


Below are some suggestions of what could add additional value to your Long Beach rental property.


Adding a Bathroom to Your Rental Property

Adding a second bathroom to a single family home rental property can give your tenants a second option to get ready in the morning. With many people working from home, bathrooms are a hot commodity especially if there are children and multiple people getting ready. A two bathroom home is generally far more appealing to tenants and will often fetch higher rents.


The cost of a new bathroom is about $22,000 for a new addition on average. Adding a bathroom to an existing space can be $7,600 on average but you will lose square footage in the living spaces. When you add a new bathroom factors that increase costs include:


  • Location
  • Size
  • Design
  • Age of Property


There is also the possibility of unexpected costs to keep in mind. Be sure to put additional money into your budget in the event problems arise once the walls begin to come down. Problems such as leaks, mold, pests or worse, are common to uncover. It's better to be prepared and if there is nothing unexpected, the extra money can go back into the general budget. 


Adding an Additional Bedroom to Your Rental Property

More bedrooms can allow a property to rent for more. An additional room can increase market value as many new tenants may be looking for the extra space to work from home or if they are looking to start a family. A benefit of adding new bedrooms is the added square footage. More square footage, means your property could sell for more should you ever want to. 


A more affordable option that doesn’t add square footage is dividing an existing space into a seperate bedroom. Depending on what room is being divided installing a wall can range between $2,500 to $6,000 per wall. And an additional $1,000 to $2,000 if you need to add doors and windows.  In these scenarios an architect's advice on the flow of the floor plan can be essential and consulting with a
property management company on what is common in the neighborhood can help you in your decision making process.


While some additions to your Long Beach rental can be more demanding like bathrooms, bedrooms in comparison are far easier. When adding an additional bedroom you have no need for additional plumbing. The cost to add a bedroom is in the range of $15,000 to $17,500 from foundation to roof depending on the size.


Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

When you are thinking about developing an ADU in Long Beach for your rental property your first thought will probably revolve around upfront costs. The statewide median cost of an ADU is approximately $250 per square foot. While many people initially only consider adding a small unit, it is important to understand the neighborhood and market. Though this is the largest investment of the ones listed, the costs for upsizing an ADU is not exponential. Meaning you can build a larger unit and gain overall value for it.


Consider the configuration you want for your ADU because this will determine the size of the ADU. To determine what a fair, marketable rent should be, examine the cost of other rental in the area including single family homes, apartments, or townhouses.


When it comes time to add more space to your Long Beach rental property there are many choices to consider. To help you understand how adding bedrooms, bathrooms or an ADU can contribute to your monthly rental income, or how they can increase long term value to your property call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our
free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.

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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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