If you’re preparing an older Rockland County rental property for new tenants, you may be envisioning operations to renovate the home and, all being well, appeal to a new generation of renters. Though, before you kick off tearing out or painting over things, there are a number of features in older homes that you shouldn’t remodel or alter. Not only are these features that lend a home beauty, and character but, in fact, trying to change them may end up being more expensive than it’s worth. Before you alter any unique features of your property, take into account the benefits of keeping the features on our list.
Hardwood Floors
You may be actually considering only the long-term maintenance involved. Don’t be too fast to dispose of or cover up hardwood flooring. Both you and your tenants can take delight in the beauty of a hardwood floor, and it may even help exceedingly boost your property values. Just think of all the carpet cleaning you can totally avoid after each move-out.
Exposed Beams and Mantels
Likewise, if your property has wooden mantels or exposed ceiling beams, think twice before choosing to remove or paint over them. Natural wood features remain highly popular with homeowners and renters and add a warm and natural beauty to any room. Refinish a wooden mantel or leave your rustic wood beams the same way, providing a charming farmhouse feel that will, without a doubt, distinguish your rental.
Millwork, Arches, and Pocket Doors
Older homes, mainly those fashioned before the turn of the twentieth century, customarily have unique design features, in particular distinctive crown molding, arched doorways, pocket doors, and even medallions and other trim on the ceilings and walls. Even though such factors may not seem to have a place in modern architecture, think again! Such unique details are trendy and in demand once again, which will only add to your rental property’s appeal.
Stained Glass
One other particular unique feature often found in older homes is stained glass. Stained glass windows have had their lows and highs in popularity over the years, and while some people might definitely not be fans, others find them rather charming. That being said, that doesn’t state you should tear it out.
Colored glass panes certainly help add light to dark spaces while maintaining privacy. Besides, you can always move the stained glass panes to a less obvious place in the house, for example, a bathroom window. This will certainly help preserve the home’s unique style and history while permitting you to appeal to a wide range of renters.
Banquettes and Butler Pantries
After decades of homes built without utility rooms and built-in features, the need and demand for these valuable elements has returned stronger than ever. Consequently, if your older rental home has a butler pantry (small room next to the kitchen) or banquettes (built-in bench seating), you should take into account keeping them. Homeowners and renters alike delight in the utility and convenience of built-ins, while a butler pantry makes a wonderful coffee station, work, or storage area.
Planning a rental property renovation is always a challenge, even a dilemma at times. But it’s imperative not to fail to see the appeal of your property’s unique details. Rather than trying to dispose of them, working with them can be of great importance toward adding character, charm, and value to your property.
Would you like to know more about creating a rental property that tenants will love? Count on the local experts at Real Property Management Priority. You can call us at 845-363-6776 or contact us online.
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