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User Stats

259
Posts
165
Votes
Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
165
Votes |
259
Posts

Rehab trends in rental units

Patrick Flanagan
  • Property Manager
  • Prineville, Or
Posted

Who would I get in contact with for what trends are popular for rehabs? As far as colors to pick, what floors, and what’s trendy looking. 

As a new property manager I’d like to be on top of that if someone asks me, what I suggest would look the best and be the best in their rental units.

I had an awesome property manager who would buy the modern nice looking flooring in bulk so when his owners needed to rehab a unit he sold them the modern vinyl plank flooring for cheap. He did the same with paints etc.. I always thought he went the extra mile to save me money and he knew what looked the best.

User Stats

201
Posts
172
Votes
Mackenzie Grate
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Ulster County, NY
172
Votes |
201
Posts
Mackenzie Grate
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Ulster County, NY
Replied

I am so glad you are asking this! Most people skimp on thinking about this and that's what ends up hurting them when it comes to renting them out. That's why as a realtor, I also became an interior designer because now-a-days a place has to look good to rent. We are such a visual society and there is no going back on that. So thank you for not just going to home depot and buying whatever is on sale and putting it in. That always makes it so much harder to rent, or secure a great tenant.

Here's my standard go to list now for long term rental updates:

-LVP that looks like wide plank white oak

-Ultra Pure white on all the walls

-Vertical/ modern stack backsplashes and showers

-Pop of color on the cabinets (pop of color can include black too)

-Butcher block countertops (lower end) or white quartz countertops (higher end)

-Modern light fixtures in brushed brass


Keep it neutral still but a couple of style choices with the light fixtures (which are cheap) and it will appeal to the masses.

Good luck! You got this!

User Stats

3,803
Posts
2,167
Votes
Michael Smythe
Property Manager
  • Property Manager
  • Metro Detroit
2,167
Votes |
3,803
Posts
Michael Smythe
Property Manager
  • Property Manager
  • Metro Detroit
Replied

@Patrick Flanagan no one's mentioned the challenge of MAINTAINING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

From the postings so far, it seems if everyone is thinking of only Class A properties.

How much sense does it make to rehab a Class C property to Class A standards?

What about the finish level of renovations depending on the property Class?

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User Stats

304
Posts
149
Votes
Christie Gahan
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Hillsboro, OR
149
Votes |
304
Posts
Christie Gahan
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Hillsboro, OR
Replied
Quote from @Mackenzie Grate:

I am so glad you are asking this! Most people skimp on thinking about this and that's what ends up hurting them when it comes to renting them out. That's why as a realtor, I also became an interior designer because now-a-days a place has to look good to rent. We are such a visual society and there is no going back on that. So thank you for not just going to home depot and buying whatever is on sale and putting it in. That always makes it so much harder to rent, or secure a great tenant.

Here's my standard go to list now for long term rental updates:

-LVP that looks like wide plank white oak

-Ultra Pure white on all the walls

-Vertical/ modern stack backsplashes and showers

-Pop of color on the cabinets (pop of color can include black too)

-Butcher block countertops (lower end) or white quartz countertops (higher end)

-Modern light fixtures in brushed brass


Keep it neutral still but a couple of style choices with the light fixtures (which are cheap) and it will appeal to the masses.

Good luck! You got this!


 How does the butcher block hold up?  You aren't supposed to cut directly on it and I don't know if people refrain.  Do you have to sand and refinish them?  Are they grimey around the sink?

User Stats

304
Posts
149
Votes
Christie Gahan
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Hillsboro, OR
149
Votes |
304
Posts
Christie Gahan
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Hillsboro, OR
Replied
Quote from @Patrick Flanagan:

Who would I get in contact with for what trends are popular for rehabs? As far as colors to pick, what floors, and what’s trendy looking. 

As a new property manager I’d like to be on top of that if someone asks me, what I suggest would look the best and be the best in their rental units.

I had an awesome property manager who would buy the modern nice looking flooring in bulk so when his owners needed to rehab a unit he sold them the modern vinyl plank flooring for cheap. He did the same with paints etc.. I always thought he went the extra mile to save me money and he knew what looked the best.


Maria Killam is awesome.  Lots of free content and she really digs in to the Why does choice A look better then choice B.   

User Stats

459
Posts
469
Votes
Glen Wiley
  • Investor
  • Richmond, VA
469
Votes |
459
Posts
Glen Wiley
  • Investor
  • Richmond, VA
Replied

We always choose low maintenance materials for rehab in our class C/B properties. Consider the long term cost of ownership - butcher block is expensive, looks great and can wear roughly. Laminate counter tops look ok, not great, but they show very little wear over time and are cheap to replace when they get damaged.

We use agreeable gray paint for the walls in all of our rentals - it wears well, shows dirt less than white.

User Stats

37
Posts
21
Votes
Jack Saunders
Pro Member
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greensboro NC
21
Votes |
37
Posts
Jack Saunders
Pro Member
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greensboro NC
Replied
Quote from @Glen Wiley:

We always choose low maintenance materials for rehab in our class C/B properties. Consider the long term cost of ownership - butcher block is expensive, looks great and can wear roughly. Laminate counter tops look ok, not great, but they show very little wear over time and are cheap to replace when they get damaged.

We use agreeable gray paint for the walls in all of our rentals - it wears well, shows dirt less than white.

Agreeable gray paint is definitely a winner for my rentals also.  Laminate is definitely a good choice depending on the type of neighborhood and who your marketing too.

User Stats

201
Posts
172
Votes
Mackenzie Grate
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Ulster County, NY
172
Votes |
201
Posts
Mackenzie Grate
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Ulster County, NY
Replied
Quote from @Christie Gahan:
Quote from @Mackenzie Grate:

I am so glad you are asking this! Most people skimp on thinking about this and that's what ends up hurting them when it comes to renting them out. That's why as a realtor, I also became an interior designer because now-a-days a place has to look good to rent. We are such a visual society and there is no going back on that. So thank you for not just going to home depot and buying whatever is on sale and putting it in. That always makes it so much harder to rent, or secure a great tenant.

Here's my standard go to list now for long term rental updates:

-LVP that looks like wide plank white oak

-Ultra Pure white on all the walls

-Vertical/ modern stack backsplashes and showers

-Pop of color on the cabinets (pop of color can include black too)

-Butcher block countertops (lower end) or white quartz countertops (higher end)

-Modern light fixtures in brushed brass


Keep it neutral still but a couple of style choices with the light fixtures (which are cheap) and it will appeal to the masses.

Good luck! You got this!


 How does the butcher block hold up?  You aren't supposed to cut directly on it and I don't know if people refrain.  Do you have to sand and refinish them?  Are they grimey around the sink?


 It's held up surprisingly well. You can seal it. That definitely helps. And if they do cut on it or it takes a beating, you can sand down and refinish them easily. :)