How to Stage a Property to Rent

Homeowners need to be prepared to spend money in order to successfully stage their property to rent. Taking the necessary steps to prepare the home will make it look more appealing to prospective tenants. But what should you consider as you prepare to stage your property to rent?

Start Cleaning and Repairing!

When you are getting ready to stage your property to rent out, you should clean the home from top to bottom. The property needs to look in tip-top condition in order to attract the right kind of tenants. If you do not have the time or inclination to clean, hire a professional cleaning company that will thoroughly clean the property, including the carpets, windows, gutters and other parts of the property. Touch-up paint and minor repairs will also enhance the look of the property, giving it a fresh, new look.

De-personalize the Property

Prospective tenants who will be viewing your home will want to see what the property will look like once their possessions have been unpacked. They will not want to see a cluttered fridge, full of your children's drawings, photos or shopping lists. Neither will they want to see hot pink walls in your daughter's bedroom. De-personalize the property as much as you can so that walls have a neutral tone and the rest of the property is free of personal effects.

Highlight the Property's Strengths

Try to look at your property from a prospective tenant's point of view. What kind of features would you want to see if you were looking for a rental property? If you are leaving behind all appliances, make sure this is highlighted in the listing. Do you have a pool? Attach pictures of the property's strengths to the listing. Taking these steps will attract interested ones.

Upgrade the Landscaping

The inside of the property is not the only aspect you should be concerned with when you are preparing to stage your home for rent. It is also important to focus on the outside of the property. If the landscaping leaves a lot to be desired, now is the time to remove dead tree stumps and add fresh bark to the outside of the property. Make sure the lawn is neatly mowed, weeds have been removed and the landscaping helps to attract, rather than detract potential tenants. Keep the landscaping simple, so that tenants will not have a lot to maintain during their tenure.

Staging a property to rent involves a multi-stage process. Make it easy on yourself and your property manager by increasing the chances of finding the right tenants. Make sure your home is "move-in" ready by cleaning it thoroughly, de-personalizing the property as much as possible and highlighting the property's strengths. The outside also needs attention, as it will be the first thing prospective tenants will see.

More from this contributor:

5 Necessary Home Repairs Before Tenants Move In.

How to Clean a Newly Constructed Home.

What to Look for in a Property Manager.