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WINTER IS HERE… IS YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY READY?

When it comes to rental property maintenance, the sooner the better – and with winter well on its way, now is a perfect time to look into winterizing your rental properties. While most landlords have a fall maintenance to-do list that includes winterizing, some lists are longer than others. Depending on where your property resides, winter might not be too bad. Average winter temperatures range from a high of 67.4 degrees (F) in Hawaii to a low of 2.6 degrees (F) in Alaska. As you compile your winterizing to-do list, keep in mind your state’s average winter temperatures and focus your efforts towards keeping your property safe from upcoming rain or snow.
Routine Fall Maintenance To-Do List:
Winterizing aside, with the end of the year coming close, naturally it’s time to perform your fall maintenance routine. While I’m sure you have your own routine set in stone, keep in mind the following tasks as you prep your rental property. Click here to view our Fall Maintenance Checklist!

• Check for peeling paint (and plan to repaint if needed)
• Change your sprinkler’s timing
• Repair broken fences
• Cover and store any provided AC window units
• Check your water heater, furnace, and/or heating system
• Make sure attics and basements are insulated
• Caulk around doors, windows, and pipes
• Change smoke and CO alarm’s batteries
• Replace furnace filter
• Winterizing your Rental Properties for Temperatures Above 33 Degrees (F)

Look like it’s going to snow? According to the University of Illinois, as long as the temperature of the ground is greater than 32 degrees (F), then that snow won’t even touch the ground. The warmer temperature of the ground will melt the snow before it reaches your rental property, turning it into rain. To prep for winter rain, do the following:

• Prune your property’s trees and shrubs
• Coat your wooden deck (or any provided furniture) in a protective, water-repellent finish
• Clear out blocked rain gutters
• Clean your rental’s chimney
• Inspect your roof for holes or missing tiles
• Move outdoor items (like lawnmowers, tools, etc.) into storage
• Inspect for leaks
• Quick Tip: Be aware that excessive rainfall can make the temperature drop and can solidify into ice. If your area’s winter temperatures are around 15 degrees above the freezing point, you might want to fully winterize your property just to be safe.

Winterizing your Rental Properties for Temperatures 32 Degrees (F) and Below
As you know, water freezes at 32 degrees (F). If your rental property is in states like Montana, Nebraska, and New York, you might want to prep your property for rain, snow and ice. In addition to doing the tasks in the section above, you’ll want to do the following to prevent your property’s pipes from freezing.

• Turn off your sprinkler system
• Winterize your outdoor amenities (like your pool or spa)
• Disconnect and drain garden hoses
• Insulate exposed pipes

**Quick Tip: if the temperature drops below 20 degrees (F), advise your tenants to keep one or two faucets running. This will prevent freezing.
Don’t forget to review your city and state’s snow and ice removal laws, and remind your tenants about appropriate de-icing measures. If you have new tenants, consider providing them a bag of salt, synthetic deicing material, sand, or kitty litter and pointing out areas on the property that often get the most ice. This will boost your landlord-tenant relationship, and prevent any unwanted accidents (which could be covered with renters insurance).

The holidays are coming up fast and you probably have a lot on your pre-holiday checklist: planning vacations, buying presents for your family and friends, decorating a Christmas tree. And that’s just a small sample of all the tasks you’ll need to accomplish. 
But there’s one more important thing you should consider doing- securing your rental. Winter holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, not only for you but for would-be criminals as well. Make sure you’ve protected your rental properties and taken precautionary actions to prevent burglaries during the holidays.  
Create a sense of security As a landlord, you’re responsible for keeping your rentals secure and ensuring that your tenants are safe. But tenants should also be careful during the winter holidays. Encourage them to hide valuables while they are away and to have packages delivered to a secure location, like their workplace or a post office box. In many instances, packages left on the house porch can attract potential burglars. 
According to statistics, most burglaries occur daylight hours…which is pretty surprising. To increase the security level of your rental properties, get to know your neighbors. Once you get to know them, you can ask them to look after the property and contact you if they happen to notice any suspicious activity around your rental. 
Put up holiday decorations Festive decorations create the illusion that there’s someone at home even if the residents are celebrating on the other side of the globe. Make it look like your renters are having a non-stop Christmas party – the way Kevin McCallister did when trying to scare off the burglars. 
Along with that, keep the property well-lit. If your tenants are going away for the holidays, put lights on a timer that can cycle through while they are away. Outdoor lights create a festive mood and illuminate the porch and driveway, which makes it harder for burglars to enter the building unnoticed. 
Another thing you can do is ask your tenants to refrain from posting about their travels on social media. While you obviously can’t control a renter’s personal life, let them know that potential intruders often look for vacancy signs by checking out social media accounts of their “targets” to learn the best time to get into the house.  
By sharing less personal information, tenants could deter holiday season break-ins. 
Install a home security system When it comes to home security systems, the first thing that comes to mind is traditional door locks. The front door is a common entry point, install a solid core door and make sure you’ve changed all locks and entry keys after the previous tenants. 
Also, make sure your rentals have high-quality windows a burglar cannot open from the outside. 
It’s also a good idea to install a wireless security camera and make it visible for anyone entering the house. The presence of security cameras is a good theft deterrent, and so are motion-sensitive lights. 
To add extra security to your rental, consider installing a smart home system. It provides centralized control of lighting equipment, air conditioning, heating, kitchen appliances, etc. You can manage everything from your mobile device, no matter where you are. 
Make sure you have insuranceTheft and break-ins during the holidays is a common thing. To protect your rental property, you may want to encourage your renters to get renters insurance (if they are not already required to have it).
If your rental has been broken into, they can reach out to their insurance company and estimate the value of stolen items. Renters insurance protects your tenants’ personal belongings and liability, as well as reimbursing the cost of damaged or stolen items, so you don’t have to worry about replacement costs. 

Persuading tenants to choose your property is a game of appearances and amenities. What can you offer that others don’t? Do the interiors and exteriors embody style trends that renters seek — or are they outdated? If your rental isn’t where you want it to be in appeal or profit, you can get there by incorporating some smart design tips.
Show potential tenants that your property is worth living in over the competitors and give them evidence to prove it. Many upgrades are cost-effective and efficient for real estate investors who don’t have tons of time — or money — to spend. Keep reading for six easy ways to ramp up the appeal for your rental.
1. Landscaping/Curb AppealPeople see your rental’s exterior first, and this impression can either entice them or turn them away. Make them want to stay by putting some vigor into your landscaping.
Plant colorful flowers and bushes along walkways to keep potential tenants’ attention as they survey the property. Trim dead tree limbs to make your trees neat and hazard-free, or plant some if the yard doesn’t have them already. Water the grass often during the warm months, and clear walkways of snow and ice during winter.
2. RepaintingThe best bang for your buck!  Sometimes all your rental needs is a fresh coat of paint to look like new again. Your property will be ready to paint after a thorough power wash. For the most appealing look, choose neutral colors like ivory or tan.
3. Cabinet Upgrades
Take your cabinets to the next level by giving them a new paint job and upgrading the hardware. Replacing cabinets can be time-consuming and costly, but making smaller adjustments refreshes their look for less. You can go in several directions when decorating the kitchen, but this room is one area renters focus on.
Ensure it appeals to modern tastes by watching color trends in real estate. Kitchen hardware should mesh well with the existing color scheme without overwhelming it.  Silver knobs are generally a safe bet, though you can try satin brass for a warmer look.
4. Tile BacksplashesBacksplashes for your rental kitchen or bathroom can turn a space from plain to eye-catching. Subway tile is a classically simple look. It has been popular since the 1970s and is thriving in the good graces of interior designers today.
Most subway backsplashes come in the traditional white, but you can choose hues like gray, beige or black marble. Backsplashes are relatively straightforward to install on your own if you’d rather skip hiring a professional. Peel-and-stick tiles are a favorite among DIYers, although real tile will look better and give renters a great impression.
5. Renewed Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a much-loved substitute for carpeting, but not all landlords have switched over. That’s because it can get expensive to install hardwood through an entire house — though your project may cost less if you’re only reflooring a few units.
If you already have hardwood flooring, refinishing it can give it a new brilliance and erase years of scuffs and dents. A typical refinishing project takes a weekend at most, though it’ll go by faster if you hire professionals.
Alternatively, you can refresh carpeting by deodorizing and deep cleaning it every few months. If it’s too worn to save, replace your current carpeting with low-pile fibers. These fibers are high-density, meaning they don’t trap as much debris as high-pile carpets.
6. Lighting
Install path lighting to illuminate the way when your tenants go out at night. This solution is attractive and adds a layer of security for tenants who prioritize safety in their rental search. Solar-powered lights add a green touch for eco-friendly residents, and many types use battery storage to keep shining after sunset.
Replace flush dome lighting fixtures with modern alternatives. A sleek chandelier can instantly liven up a dining room. Energy-saving lightbulbs save money and come with dimming capabilities regular incandescents don’t have. They also last longer, meaning you won’t have to replace them regularly.
Styling Your Rental AffordablyPut your skills and knowledge to the test and give your property a makeover. Revamping your rental can help you bring in a wave of quality tenants. They get an attractive, well-made home, and you get reliable renters who’ll be more likely to stay a long time — a win for everyone.