Staying Productive During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus has taken the country by storm. To limit the spread of the disease, most states have issued “Stay-at-Home” orders and are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for social distancing. It can be hard to figure out ways to stay productive while under quarantine, but you can still increase the value of your rental while respecting mitigation strategies. It is important to remember that you may not have access to all of your normal vendors during the shutdown. Consider making the following small, and generally inexpensive, ways to add value to your rental:

1.      Refresh the Attention-Grabbers

Two of the most important spaces for renters are the kitchen and the bathroom. Even minor improvements can help add value to these spaces. Consider changing the hardware on cabinets or giving them a fresh coat of paint. Hardware and home improvement stores are considered essential businesses and are still open during the quarantine. Most basic improvements can be made without the assistance of a vendor. Make sure that any upgrades you make are durable. Rental properties need to have durable fixtures that do not need to be continuously replaced.

2.      Check for Leaks

While you are considering upgrades to the bathroom and kitchen, take a moment to inspect for any leaks in the plumbing. Do a visual inspection by checking under cabinets and sinks to see if there are signs of mold. Home water works offers a detailed guide to checking for leaks throughout the house—one of the most common sources: toilets.

3.      Consider Curb Appeal

If you have a green thumb, use this time to spruce up the front of the house. Curb appeal can produce a significant return for a rental. Pull weeds from flower beds, trim hedges, remove trash, and hide the recycle. There are easy fixes to improve a renter’s first impression of the property. HGTV offers several suggestions for sprucing up the outward appearance of a house on a budget.

4.      Ensure that your Property is Energy Efficient

Replace air filters. This is an easy, affordable way to ensure that your heating and cooling systems will run efficiently. Check windows and doors to make sure that they are adequately sealed. DIY Network suggests holding a lit candle next to the window seam to see if air is seeping in. Change out old lightbulbs with energy-efficient ones. These are all inexpensive ways to conserve energy and appeal to “green” renters.

5.      Do a Deep Clean

COVID-19 has required everyone to rethink exactly what clean means. It has become critically important to ensure that all common surfaces are sanitized. Go through the entire property and clean and disinfect everything. The CDC provides guidance on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home during the pandemic. Use this time to address seasonal issues like cleaning out the gutters, oven, and refrigerator.

Let Us Know How We Can Help

At Southern California Real Estate Management, we are here to help you get through this difficult time. While the quarantine has undoubtedly affected everyone, we can assist you in providing some normalcy during these uncertain times. Contact SCREM today at (661) 523-0278 to speak with our real estate management experts.