Preparing your Freeport, FL rental property for tenant move-in is a crucial component of converting it into an income-generating real estate asset.
Preparing Your Rental Property for Tenants
It’s important to note that there are some differences between designing or renovating a rental property and a property you use as your own primary residence.
As a property owner, you must consider different factors and situations. For example, your Freeport rental property may see many tenants come through and make it their home for a year or two.
With different people with different needs and characteristics living in your rental, you need to ensure the property is durable, attractive to potential tenants, and can last a long time without the need for major repairs.
One way to do this is by choosing the best flooring option for your rental property. Whether you plan on short-term tenants or want to use the property solely as an income-generating asset, you must be strategic with the flooring material you choose. In this article, you’ll learn about the five best types of flooring for rental properties and how to choose which one to install in yours.
How to Choose the Best Rental Property Flooring
There are a few factors that go into choosing the right flooring for your Freeport rental property. Each flooring option has its own pros and cons that you must consider.
It’s also necessary to assess your particular situation as well as the types of tenants you plan to rent your property out to. For example, if you are renting to families with young children or pets, you’ll want to choose a flooring option that is easy to clean and maintain and is resistant to damages.
Flooring Budget and Square Footage
Other important factors to consider are your flooring budget and the square footage of the area you’re installing flooring. Some flooring is more expensive than others, and you don’t want to go over your budget. But, you also don’t want to spend money on flooring that won’t last.
Another detail you’ll want to think about is location. For example, Freeport is a beach town, which means your tenants will most likely enjoy soaking up some sun along the coastline. This also means they’ll track sand into the house. In this case, you’ll want to choose a flooring option with a surface that doesn’t scratch easily.
Best Types of Flooring for a Rental Property
Now that we’ve covered what to consider when choosing the best type of flooring for your rental property, it’s time to see which flooring is recommended for your rental property in Freeport, Florida.
1. Hardwood Flooring for Rental Properties
You can never go wrong with beautiful and sturdy hardwood flooring. (This also applies to bamboo wood.) The luxurious shine of the sun off of real hardwood floors is very attractive to tenants and can even raise the value of your property.
You can coat hardwood floors to be water and stain-resistant to increase their longevity. There is also an option to have them buffed and shined over the years to keep them looking new.
However, even as beautiful as hardwood flooring is, there is a price to pay for it. Hardwood flooring is the most expensive flooring option on this list. It also scratches easily if unprotected and doesn’t absorb sound well, so it could pose a problem if the property is in a multi-unit building.
2. Laminate Flooring for Rental Properties
If you want the aesthetic and beauty of hardwood floors but want a more affordable option, you may want to consider laminate flooring instead. It gives the look of hardwood floors but is much less expensive.
One of the best things about laminate is that it’s scratch-resistant. That’s right! You’ll get the look of real hardwood floors without the delicacy of them. Plus, it’s much easier to install, and the labor is more affordable.
However, you should avoid putting laminate in rooms where there is a lot of moisture, like laundry rooms, bathrooms, and mudrooms. Water tends to damage the laminate and shorten its lifespan in rental properties. But it looks amazing in living rooms and bedrooms.
3. Luxury Vinyl Tile or Luxury Vinyl Planks
One of the most popular flooring options in rental properties is luxury vinyl tiles or luxury vinyl planks, otherwise known as LVT or LVP. With this material, you can choose either a ceramic-like flooring or hardwood-like flooring.
Luxury vinyl flooring is waterproof and easy to install. If you’re handy, you could possibly do it yourself. It’s also extremely durable and difficult to damage the surface. This is perfect for young tenants and tenants with children or pets. If taken care of properly, it can last for about a decade.
4. Tile Flooring in Investment Properties
Tile is a very popular flooring option for Freeport rental properties. That’s because it’s one of the best flooring options for properties in hot climates and in areas close to beaches.
Tile is excellent for nearly every room in the house, including kitchen and bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms as it’s moisture and dirt-resistant. It’s also effortless to clean, which means tenants can easily take care of it and help maintain its integrity.
The installation process for tile can be long and a bit expensive, but it’s definitely worth it when you see just how beautiful it is and how comfortable it can make your home.
5. Carpet in Rental Properties
Even though carpet is a bit out of date right now, it’s still a good option in some rental properties. In fact, many tenants expect the bedrooms in a rental to have carpeting to make them more comfortable and cozy
While carpet is more ideal for properties in a colder climate, you will still find it in some Florida homes. It’s a cost-effective option and relatively easy to install and replace, which is great if you need to fill a vacancy quickly.
Keep Your Freeport Rental Well-Maintained with All American Realty
Are you getting ready to leave your home during this year’s PCS season and searching for someone to manage it as a rental while you’re away? Look no further than All American Realty!
As the area’s leading property management company in Freeport that specializes in helping military members make an income with their vacant properties, you can trust that your property is in great hands with us.
Contact us to see how we can help you maximize your rental income stress-free today!
