Inside 

Pack your “inspection kit.” Include a small tub of spackling, putty knife, marker and labels, small, lightweight electrical item, notepad, and pen. 

Go through and clean the rental – this is a fast clean to make repairs and maintenance easier. We’ll discuss a final professional cleaning later. 

Complete a thorough examination –starting at the front door and circling through every room until you arrive back at the front door. 

• • • Mark any blemishes in the walls, from simple nail holes to cracks and damage. Nail holes and minor imperfections can be ‘marked’ by applying the first coat of spackling. 
    • Check each window. If the screen needs replaced, remove it and label it – it will save you time when you are ordering replacement screens. If the lock is broken, note it. Likewise, with blinds or window treatment – if either need repaired, remove them, and label them, so you know where it belongs when you are finished with repairs. If either must be replaced, add it to your shopping list. 
    • Use your lightweight electrical item to check the power in every receptacle. 
    • Turn on every faucet & flush toilets to check for function and water leaks.   
    • Inspect every appliance – ensure they are clean and in good working condition. Make a note of appliances that need to be replaced. Don’t forget items like garbage disposals, exhaust fans, bathroom fans, etc. (Even if older appliances are working, consider upgrading with new ones. This can be a significant draw to finding good tenants) 
    • Check light switches. Make a note of any lightbulbs that need to be replaced. 
    • Inspect non-carpeted floors for necessary repairs. 
    • Unless carpets are newly installed, they will need to be shampooed. Examine carpets for repairs. There isn’t any benefit from shampooing carpet, only to have to replace it. 
    • Make a detailed list of maintenance and repairs you will need to complete. Add any items you need to purchase to your shopping list. Don’t forget HVAC and other filters. 

Purchase all the items on your shopping list, plus paint and painting supplies. Yes, a fresh coat of paint through the entire home is a prerequisite to showing your rental. 

Determine which repairs you will do yourself. Create a timeline. 

Call any professionals you need to hire and get them scheduled. Time is of essence. Don’t forget to include professional cleaners to come in once repairs are complete. Yes, you can do this yourself, but professional cleaners are much quicker and very thorough. Pay them to do what they do best and apply your time to what you do best. 

Outside 

Curb appeal isn’t just for selling a home – it applies to attracting great tenants too. First impressions make a difference – particularly when people are choosing their future residence. A prospective renter will often judge for or against your home before they have seen the inside. If they drive by before calling, and most do, they may never even ask for a showing, based on the external condition of your property.  Spruce it up and give them a reason to call. 

• • • Clean up your property. If you have grassy areas, mow them. Weed your landscaping and trim your bushes. Deadhead any flowering plants. Put a fresh layer of landscaping mulch or stones.  
    • Wash windows and doors. If needed, give doors, window frames, shutters, step railings, etc. a fresh coat of paint. 
    • Consider a new set of house numbers or hanging attractive décor on the front entrance. 
    • If your property has a back patio/yard, spruce it up too. Make it family-friendly. 

If you have questions or prefer to leave the details in someone else’s capable hands, you can always contact a property management company, like Rentals America. Helping investors with their properties is what we do best. 

About Rentals America 

Rentals America provides full-service property management for residential rental properties. Our team is completely dedicated to property management and we’re here to help landlords navigate the rental market.