There are many ways to enhance your real estate portfolio. You can continue acquiring more properties, growing the size and the strength of what you own. You can also diversify your portfolio, moving into new property types or even new regions. You can shake up how you fund your purchases. This can enhance what you own and what you’re able to do to continue growing.
Another good way to enhance your portfolio is to update and renovate the properties you currently own so that they’re worth more. Many new investors think that the only way to grow is to keep buying. But, when you pay attention to what you already have and leverage the equity of your assets, you can earn more money in the short and long term.
Choosing and retaining better tenants, working with a Gardena property management company, and looking for unique opportunities to work with your current and potential investments will help you grow and enhance your portfolio.
Before you can earn real wealth, however, there’s one important thing you have to do.
You have to treat your rental home as a valuable asset. You have to know you’re running a business.
You can enhance your portfolio with just one rental property – when you’re doing it right.
Let’s talk about how to build a better real estate portfolio by treating your rental property or properties the way you should – like the profitable assets they are in your thriving real estate business.
Understanding the Gardena Rental Market
You invest in real estate in order to rent your properties out to well-qualified tenants. Since you’re buying real estate with the intention of earning income, it’s essential that you know a few things about the local market in which you’re operating.
In Gardena, the rental market is highly competitive. Rents are high, and vacancy and turnover are both low. That’s good news for you; it means there are plenty of great residents who are eager to rent homes like yours, especially if it’s a well-maintained home in a desirable neighborhood.
You can maximize your investment to make it more profitable. That’s how you succeed in a market like ours. Pay attention to market rental rates. When it’s time to renew a lease, make sure you know what similar homes are renting for. Provide an excellent rental experience so you’re likely to retain your tenants.
Know the competition. Follow the tenant demands. Get to know what the most valuable rental properties are doing and providing in order to bring in high rents and establish increasing property values. Maybe it’s better landscaping and curb appeal. Maybe it’s time to upgrade your appliances, provide a more sustainable rental, or install some smart home technology that will appeal to modern tenants.
If you’re not sure what’s going on in the local market, reach out to a Gardena property management company. We’re following all the trends and gathering all the data. We can tell you exactly what you need to know.
Consider Location Before You Invest in Gardena Real Estate
Thinking about enhancing your portfolio by acquiring a new property? That’s fantastic. As we said, there’s a lot of demand for good rental housing; if you have a property ready to rent, you’ll find that great tenants are lining up to see it.
Choose your next investment carefully. You need to buy an asset that’s already valuable. Beware of the fixer uppers. It will require you to invest a lot more money and you’ll also have to wait longer before you can get that property onto the rental market and earning income. Identify the right property in the right location before you invest.
The location of your rental home in Gardena can make a significant impact on your investment. Look for properties in high-demand areas that are convenient to public transportation, shopping centers, and restaurants. It’s imperative to do your research and understand the neighborhood trends and growth potential when scouting a property. Your real estate agent can help with showings and negotiations, but again – property management support is crucial. When you talk to a property manager before you invest in a property, you can find out:
- How much rent you’re likely to earn.
- Whether the location is desirable to well-qualified tenants.
- How much you’ll need to invest before the property is rent-ready.
- What you can expect to spend on regular and routine maintenance.
This is valuable information that can help you choose the right property. Don’t wait to hire a property manager until after you close the deal. Partner with a management company before you buy, and leverage the market knowledge and location data that a manager can provide.
Prioritize Maintenance and Upgrades
It’s so easy to enhance the value of your portfolio by paying attention to the properties you currently own. The market is pricey right now, and if you don’t have the capital to buy something new, invest what you do have into making your Gardena rental property more attractive to good residents.
Keeping your rental home in excellent condition is critical in ensuring high occupancy and attracting quality tenants. A good maintenance schedule and process will include:
- Regular repairs
- Preventative services
- Cleaning and landscaping and pest control
- An excellent team of preferred vendors and contractors
- A solid system of reporting maintenance so tenants know what to do when something goes wrong
- A 24/7 response for emergency repairs
Your investment property’s value depends on routine and preventative maintenance. You also save money in the long term when you’re taking care of minor issues and repair needs as they arise. Preventative maintenance reduces emergency repairs.
Even more important than maintenance are the upgrades you need to be making to your investment property. When you’re renovating during turnover periods, you can charge more in rent, attract better tenants, and enhance the entire portfolio that you own. You’ll have a more valuable Gardena asset.
Some of the best upgrades to invest in will typically include:
- Fresh paint
- New carpet or no carpet (hard surface flooring is very popular with residents and increases the value of your property)
- Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
- In-unit laundry
- Security features like video doorbells
- Smart home tech, such as smart thermostats and keyless locks
Investing in the amenities that your property can provide will ensure you have a large pool of tenants wanting to rent your home. You’ll also enjoy rising property and rental values.
Double Down on Your Screening Process
If you’re treating your rental property like the valuable asset that it is, you need to make sure you’re intentional and strategic about the tenants you are placing.
In California, fair housing laws are strict, so make sure you’re screening in accordance with all state and federal requirements. Make sure your process is consistent and fair, but also rigorous.
The success of your rental property investment in Gardena heavily relies on the quality of your tenants. Conducting thorough background checks, looking for eviction histories, verifying employment and income, and evaluating credit will help you understand what kind of tenant you’re placing.
Good tenants contribute to the value of your property by helping you take care of it. They pay rent on time. They follow the terms of the lease. They’re more likely to stay in place and renew their lease agreements.
You enhance the value of your asset when you keep it occupied with excellent residents.
Set Competitive Rental Prices Consistent with the Gardena Rental Market
To maximize your rental property investment and enhance the entire value of your portfolio, it’s crucial to set competitive rental prices that reflect the market demand and your own property’s condition, size, and location.
Conduct research on similar properties in your area and determine a price that aligns with comparable home rentals. Setting an appropriate rental price helps attract high-quality tenants and makes your rental property a valuable asset in Gardena.
Your renewal rate also needs careful attention. While most residents will expect that the rent is going up when they renew a lease, you don’t want to chase them away with an increase that’s unreasonable. Set a new rental rate that is market-driven so you can count on stronger tenant retention.
Working with a Gardena Property Management Company
If you’re not already working with a Gardena property management company, now is the time to start. It’s the quickest way to enhance what you’re able to accomplish with your existing rental properties. Managing a rental property can be time-consuming, overwhelming, and, at times, stressful. Hiring a professional property management company can not only relieve the day-to-day duties but also provide peace of mind to you as a landlord and investor.
We talked about the importance of treating your real estate investment portfolio like a business. Property management allows you to do that.
As a rental property owner in Gardena, treating your investment as a valuable asset starts with careful location selection, regular maintenance, thorough tenant screening, competitive rental pricing, and hiring a professional property management company. Utilizing these tips can increase your rental property’s profitability and overall return on investment. Remember, a well-managed rental home in Gardena can be a profitable and rewarding investment.
We can help. Contact us at Real Property Management Choice.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.