If you’re preparing an older Oshkosh rental property for new tenants, you may be thinking of procedures to renovate the home and hoping to appeal to a new generation of renters. However, before you get moving with tearing out, or painting over things, there are selected features in older homes that you shouldn’t restore or change. Not only are these features that lend a home charm and character but, in reality, trying to change them may end up being more expensive than it’s worth. Before you alter any unique features of your property, properly consider the benefits of keeping the features on our list.
Hardwood Floors
You may be pondering only about the long-term maintenance involved. Don’t be so fast to remove or cover up hardwood flooring. Both you and your tenants can enjoy the beauty of a hardwood floor, and it may even help highly boost your property values. Just think of all the carpet cleaning you can keep from after each move-out.
Exposed Beams and Mantels
Likewise, if the property has wooden mantels or exposed ceiling beams, think twice before determining to remove or paint over them. Natural wood features remain extremely popular with homeowners and renters and add a warm beauty and elegance to any room. Refinish a wooden mantel or leave your rustic wood beams as it is, lending a charming farmhouse feel that will absolutely distinguish your rental.
Millwork, Arches, and Pocket Doors
Older homes, particularly those made before the turn of the twentieth century, mostly have unique design features such as distinctive crown molding, arched doorways, pocket doors, and even medallions and other trim on the ceilings and walls. While, indeed, such elements may not seem to have a place in modern architecture, think again! Such unique details are trendy and in demand once more, which will only substantially add to your rental property’s appeal.
Stained Glass
Another notably unique feature often found in older homes is stained glass. Stained glass windows have had their ebbs and flows in popularity throughout the years, and while some people might not really fancy them, others find them very charming. Anyhow, that doesn’t mean you should tear it out.
Colored glass panes greatly help add light to dark spaces while maintaining privacy. But aside from that, you can always move the stained glass panes to a less observable place in the house, such as a bathroom window. This will help preserve the home’s unique style and history while enabling you to appeal to a wide range of renters.
Banquettes and Butler Pantries
After several years of homes built without utility rooms and built-in features, interest and demand for these valuable elements has come back stronger than ever. Because of this, if your older rental home has a butler pantry (small room next to the kitchen) or banquettes (built-in bench seating), you should seriously think about keep them. Homeowners and renters alike admire the utility and convenience of built-ins, while a butler pantry makes a terrific coffee station, work, or storage area.
Planning a rental property renovation is always a challenge, even a struggle. But always keep in mind, it’s significant not to neglect the appeal of your property’s unique details. Rather than trying to eradicate them, working with them can make a big difference in adding character, charm, and value to your property.
Would you like to understand more about creating a rental property that tenants will love? You can rely on the local experts at Real Property Management Lakeshore. Don’t hesitate to call us at 920-305-7077 or contact us online.
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