Making your Investment Property more Manageable

Whether you have one rental property or several, we think you can benefit from these cost saving ideas.  We’ve found there are two major components that need to be addressed when tenants move out;  the walls and the floors.

Why not work to get all of your properties up to date with neutral wall colors and laminate wood floors?  This way, you don’t have to necessarily paint each wall but can simply touch them up with the same color.  Additionally, the wood laminate floors provide a great alternative to carpet because you don’t have to replace it and it’s not as easily damaged by pets and other normal wear and tear.

If all of your homes have the same products installed, it makes it much more cost effective to do the minor repairs you need before the next tenants move in.  This saves you both time and money!

Any homeowner who lives with a pet knows that when you share your house with one of these beloved creatures, you give up the word “spotless” as a way to describe your home…forever. Here are some tips to keep your house as clean and fresh-smelling as fresh as possible despite your pet’s, let’s just say, “untidiness”.

• Pet hair has an aroma. Usually, it’s not a good one. Vacuum regularly, even if the pet hair in question matches your furniture and you cannot see it. I promise you, your guests can smell it. Dyson makes a vacuum especially for picking up animal hair.
• This is obvious, but a regularly bathed pet makes for a clean house. Think of how happy they are when it’s all over! Keeping pet’s nails trimmed also cuts down on scratched floors and fabrics.
• Look into Crypton. It’s a stain-resistant fabric that includes suedes and twills. As always, leather and Ultrasuede are great choices for pet owners.
• If you can, nix the wall-to-wall carpeting. It absorbs odors, traps pet hair and soaks up stains. 
• Stick to rubber toys if you have a mad chewer. Pig’s ears and rawhide bones are not only terrible for your pet’s health, but if they make it inside your home, they will stain your floor and furniture.  

To learn about more interesting things for your home with pets go to www.everydaystudio.com  and www.animalhousestyle.com.