16 September How a New Kitchen Can Help Attract New Renters September 16, 2020 By sma Property Investment, Property Maintenance, Property Management apartment, interior maintenance, multi-family property 0 HOW A NEW KITCHEN CAN HELP ATTRACT NEW RENTERS September 16, 2020 | Property Management, Maintenance, Investment | multi-family property, apartment, interior maintenance When people are choosing a new place to call home, each little detail matters--everything from the paint color in the bedroom to the light fixture in the bathroom is met with a lengthy examination. It goes without saying that renters are quick to notice something as glaringly outdated as an older kitchen. Updating this one room in your units not only gives them a more modern feel overall, it can also help you stand out from buildings with similar amenities and attract more tenants in the long-run. New Kitchens Are a Powerful Marketing Tool Many older multi-family units tend to overlook upgrading or just assume what they have is good enough, especially if they rent to mainly younger tenants. Even if clients don’t tend to cook much themselves, an old kitchen can still be a deciding factor for them simply because it’s an eyesore. Ancient appliances, poor lighting, lack of cabinet space and the cabinet design itself all factor into their judgment. In the end, the look of a space is a reflection of the person inhabiting it, and tenants want their space to reflect well on them. Get Newer, More Efficient Appliances If it’s been a while since you last worked on your kitchens, chances are that the appliances could be original to the space. Older appliances are not only an eyesore, but they can be a safety issue as well. For example, wear and tear on different components can create a shock or fire hazard for your tenants. Swapping older models out for new ones reduces the risk of injury, giving you peace of mind. Not only that, newer models are more energy efficient, which will help you save money and create a positive impact on the environment. Swap Out Your Old Kitchen Cabinets Having ample space to store food and utensils is important for an apartment kitchen of any size, and being able to combine looks with functionality is another influential factor for renters. It’s common for older units to have economy cabinets in outdated colors and finishes. Redoing your cabinets is perhaps the easiest part of a kitchen makeover. All you need is a fresh coat of paint and to swap out the handles and hinges. It’s also a good idea to try and add extra shelving space where you can. Upgrade the Lighting A new paint job can really brighten up that small apartment kitchen, and new lighting will take it one step further. Instead of just adding a single overhead light, space out a few smaller fixtures. This will help provide even lighting throughout the space while. Place lighting strips along the underside of cabinets for an easy upscale look. Install High Quality, Long-Lasting Counters Speaking of counter space, it’s another important step in revamping your kitchens. However, that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank and go all in on marble countertops. There are plenty of inexpensive and durable options that will complete the look of your new kitchen and catch tenants’ attention. If you have enough space, adding a kitchen island can increase counter and cabinet space while creating a sleek modern look. Freshen Up Your Floor The kitchen is one of the most highly trafficked areas in an apartment, and it shows in the flooring. Nicks, scrapes, fading, water damage and other signs of aging detract from the look of your new space. Putting in new flooring like laminate or tile will help tie everything together. Add New Paint and Wall Tiles One of the last finishing touches in your renovation process is to give your kitchen a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color. At this point, you might be wondering about adding tile or some sort of backsplash. While you don’t necessarily need tile, adding it can serve a decorative and functional purpose by helping preserve the paint behind the sink. And we all know durability is everything when it comes to rental units. Get Your New Kitchens Checked By NPI No renovation to your building is complete without a commercial inspection from NPI. To keep your tenants safe and your property in great condition, contact your local NPI inspector and schedule an inspection today. Comments are closed.