5 Things That Will Make Your Rental More Attractive to Tenants

5 Areas Where You Can Improve the Desirability of Your Rental Property

As the real estate and rental markets slow down as more inventory enters the market, it is more important than ever to ensure that your rental property is as attractive and eye-grabbing as possible to ensure you are able to get the attention of high-quality clients and don't lose them to other rentals. It is possible to spend thousands of dollars on your rental property to try and make it more attractive, however, there are many ways to improve the general desirability of your property. Read on to find out the best places to focus your attention when trying to grab the attention of prospective tenants.

The first thing any prospective tenant will see when viewing your property is your entry way or front door. Ensuring that the main entry to your rental property is in good condition is one of the easiest ways to improve desirability for your property. Make sure that the front door is in good shape and not covered in scratches or chipping paint, and if it is, put a fresh coat of paint on the door as soon as possible! Additionally, make sure the entryway is clear of debris such as leaf litter and cobwebs. While some debris is inevitable from wind and foot traffic, a fresh cleaning can do wonders for the experience of entering the property for the first time. Lastly, check for any structural damage in the surrounding door frame and exterior structure. Fixing light cosmetic damage to the frame or external structure is an inexpensive way to further elevate the entryway.


Following the same logic of focusing on the entryway, the general curb appeal of a property is critical to getting potential tenants interested in the property so that they view and apply for your property. Curb appeal can make the difference between properties sitting on the market for a week or for 3 months in real estate, and this is especially true in the rental property market where every day a rental property is vacant is money out of your pocket. While curb appeal can be difficult to control in condos and multifamily units, it is a huge benefit for single-family homes and townhomes. A few straightforward ways to improve curb appeal include having well-maintained landscape (even in a desert like Las Vegas), making sure all front-facing blinds are in good shape, keeping a clean driveway at properties that have one (no oil stains, debris, etc.), ensuring property address numbers are visible, and other similar tasks.

Inside the property, the first thing most prospective tenants will notice is the flooring. In today’s market, carpet actually reduces the desirability of your property. Carpet is okay in bedrooms, but throughout the rest of the property, most tenants prefer laminate, faux wood, ceramic tile, and other flooring options. With tile floors, grout is also a major factor. Dirty grout will bring the beauty of the whole property down, so it is important to keep the floor maintained. Prospective tenants also tend to notice the baseboards at a property. Having clean baseboards shows the property is well-maintained and cleaned by professionals during turnover, making prospective tenants more likely to sign a lease with that landlord or property manager. Everyone wants to feel like they are taken care of and treated well, even by their landlords.


Another area that is commonly overlooked during rental turnover is the bathrooms. If tenants are touring a property, enter the bathroom, and see dirty tubs/showers, sinks covered in build-up, old faucets, toilets with loose seats, dirty mirrors, or any other things that are generally only cosmetic issues, they are left with a sour taste in their mouth. Any of the things listed above, except faucets, and usually pretty easy fixes that only require a little bit of elbow grease. And in regards to faucets and other fixtures, they do not need to be brand new or state-of-the-art, they just need to be clean and have all their parts (stoppers, handles, etc.). Some fixes in bathrooms require more effort such as stained counters, chipping sinks/tubs, cracked mirrors, can require some work, but will make the property much more presentable to prospective tenants.

Lastly, the one room in a rental property that will drive the most interest from prospective tenants is the kitchen. In the kitchen, you can combine the advice mentioned above about flooring and the bathroom in terms of presenting a clean and well-maintained kitchen, but the biggest focus is on the big-ticket items: appliances. While getting new appliances is by far the most expensive option on this list, it does wonders for a property. New or upgraded appliances make for a great marketing, while also improving the general appeal of the property. You may not make an immediate return on the investment from increased rent ($25 - $100 based on how nice the appliances are), the increased from having less days on market at turnover will help in the long-term. Outside of appliances, upgrades such as fixtures, backsplash, and countertops will only make your rental property more desirable.

April 28, 2025
Helping Your Child Buy a Home: Smart Strategies with Tax Benefits  Many parents want to help their children buy a home, but doing so in a way that also provides financial and tax advantages is key. Here are a few strategies to consider when assisting your son or daughter with homeownership while maximizing tax benefits. 1. Gifting Money for a Down Payment The IRS allows individuals to gift up to $18,000 per recipient annually ($36,000 for married couples) without triggering a gift tax. If you stay within this limit, your child receives a down payment boost without tax consequences. 2. Loaning Money to Your Child Instead of gifting, you can lend money at the IRS’s Applicable Federal Rate (AFR), which is often lower than traditional mortgage rates. Structuring it as a formal loan allows your child to build equity while you may receive interest income. 3. Co-Signing or Co-Owning the Home Some parents choose to co-sign a mortgage or co-own the home. While this can help secure better loan terms, it also means shared financial responsibility. If you co-own, you may be able to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes on your tax return, depending on usage. 4. Buying the Home as an Investment Property If your child pays you rent, the home could be classified as an investment property. This allows you to deduct expenses like mortgage interest, property taxes, and maintenance. However, rental income must be reported to the IRS. Final Thoughts Every financial situation is unique, and tax laws change. Consulting with a tax professional or estate planner ensures that your support aligns with your financial goals and tax strategy. Helping your child buy a home is a generous step—doing it wisely ensures benefits for both of you.
April 21, 2025
When applying for one of our rental properties, we use a comprehensive screening score sheet to ensure all applicants are held to the same standard. The score sheet evaluates various aspects of your financial stability and rental history, helping the landlord make informed decisions while maintaining a fair and transparent process! Here’s a breakdown of how we assess your application utilizing the screening score sheet: 1. Length of Residency: While longer periods at previous residences typically suggest reliability and commitment, we understand that some applicants may be first-time renters. We welcome first-time renters, and on the screening score sheet, you can assign yourself a "1" under "Length of Residency" if this is your first rental experience! 2. Collections: We review any outstanding collections, including monthly utilities or bills, as well as loans (excluding medical bills). This helps us assess your overall financial responsibility. Your estimated monthly payment for all your loans, utilities and bills is also taken into consideration. 3. Rent-to-Income Ratio (per household): To ensure you can comfortably afford the rent, we require that your monthly income is at least 2.5 times the rent amount. This ratio helps us verify your ability to manage rent payments alongside other living expenses. 4. FICO Score: While there is no specific minimum FICO score, we do take it into account when evaluating your financial health. A higher score indicates a history of responsible credit management. 5. NSF/Late Payments & Landlord Disputes: We look into your rental history to ensure that there are no frequent NSF (non-sufficient funds) or late payments, and that there are no unresolved disputes with previous landlords. Please note that all application charges are non-refundable, and every occupant over the age of 18 must submit a separate application. Our scoring system ranges from 0 to 21, with 15 being the lowest acceptable score. All approvals or denials are ultimately decided by the property owner. We do not operate off a first come first serve basis, so if you are curious about the status of applications prior to applying, please don’t hesitate to call our office! By using our screening score sheet, we aim to create a rental environment where both tenants and property owners can thrive. This score sheet can be found on our site, under the Before You Apply Manual, as well as under “Rental Resources”.
April 16, 2025
Looking to declutter your home while making some extra cash? The outdoor swap meet at the Downtown Recreation Center in Henderson is the perfect opportunity! Whether you’re cleaning out your closets, clearing space in your garage, or finding a new home for gently used toys, books, and clothes, this event is your chance to turn those items into money. Each booth equals two parking spots, and registration is required at least one week in advance. All booths are assigned randomly, ensuring a fair and fun atmosphere for all. Remember, only second-hand items can be sold, so it’s a great way to recycle and give your items a second life. Event takes place April 19th & May 17th! The swap meet opens at 7am, so come early to shop! Admission is free for all ages, making it a perfect outing for families looking to find unique treasures. Ready to get started? Simply register on the City of Henderson website to secure your spot. It’s time to clean out, earn some extra cash, and find something new – don’t miss out on this exciting event at the Downtown Recreation Center!
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