yard too big for rental?

[Andy Rousch]

I plan to either sell or rent my current property to buy a multifamily. It is a smaller but newly updated house that will rent well but the yard is on an acre. Not sure if tenants typically enjoy the maintenance of a large yard or if that will intimidate most tenants. Also do I have to provide a lawn mower? Maybe I will list it for rent and for sale and see which offers are the most attractive

Thanks!!

Andy 

[Genny Li]

All of our properties in my neighborhood are on 1-2 acres where I live. If it’s B class and better, leave a riding mower and they will be happy. Many people are renting out their homes here when they move here, and it’s not been a problem. 

When people choose a property THAT big, they want a big yard. It’s actually smaller yards that are more of a problem. A mow-and-blow is $80+ on an acre, so that starts getting really pricey to fold into the rental cost. Normally I lean toward raising the rent, but at $320/month (weekly maintenance is a must in nicer areas), that gets really ugly. 

You can’t expect tenants to maintain elaborate gardens anywhere, though. They even scare home buyers.