After familiarizing with the state and local laws about renting your home in Raleigh, North Carolina, now is the time to prepare your Raleigh rental property for your prospective residents. This process is oftentimes called “make ready,” and includes a lot of things many new do-it-yourself (DIY) landlords overlook. 
Interior
Begin with the indoors. Do you have sufficient smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the right places to be up to code? Have your furnace and air conditioner been serviced in the past year? Have all filters been replaced? How about the batteries in detectors and garage door openers? Do you need to register your home as a rental?
Once done answering these questions, proceed to working on the remaining “make ready” process. Inspect your surroundings. Do the walls need repair or new paint? Check for caulking around toilets, window seals, tubs, and sinks. Also check for good weather stripping. If a fireplace is present, has the chimney been serviced in the last 12 months? In addition, check to see whether a pest control service is needed.
The next step involves determining whether each appliance operates properly. Switch all burners on to make sure they work. Remember to check all faucets, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher as well. Fix any leaks and malfunctions since all appliances need to be functional once you rent your home out. All appliances and “personal property” including washers and dryers, lawnmowers, etc., will have the same rule. Make an informed decision and ensure before leaving anything in the home that you plan to keep it in good repair for the length of your new resident’s tenancy.
Next, change any burnt out lightbulbs and hire a professional to clean your Raleigh rental property. Professionally clean the carpet to finish up the interior. This will likely influence new tenants to treat your home well, keeping it tidy at all times. As a result, this saves you time and money in the long run.
Exterior
At this point, the indoor section of your Raleigh rental property is ready, so the next step is to prepare the outdoors. Ensure the gutters are clear, the lawn has been mowed and edged, and the weeds and any unwanted objects have been removed. If you have shrubbery or trees that require trimming, consider hiring a good landscape service.
Doing all these steps yourself may take you 6-20 hours depending on the condition of your house. Using professional services will take less time, but is more costly, and you must spend time checking vendor references and make sure the vendors can do their job on time. Whatever method you choose, making your home “rent ready” will save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.
Would you like to learn more about Raleigh property management? Please contact us for more information.
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.
