Updating Home Before Turning Into Rental

[Guevara M.]

I purchased my home new in 2009 and have plans on turning into a rental at some point. I still enjoy living in it but I’m tired of some of the features and colors throughout the home. I already repainted pretty much the entire interior to a nicer color and did it myself to keep the cost down. Planning on having the whole exterior done next but will be paying to get it done and will be changing the colors from light beige and white to grays.

Currently I have four arch’s inside the home which separate the foyer, dinning room, living room and a hallway and for some reason I’m tired of looking at them. I recently started thinking of just removing the arch’s and making them all square. I know lots of people like the arch’s due to looking a little more elegant so would removing them hurt me in any way when I decide to start renting it out? Are arch’s still in style?

I’m planning on doing a DIY shiplap wall around my boring fireplace that won’t cost much and also painting all kitchen and bathrooms cabinets to a nice bright white to get rid of the outdated oak color. Will be updating the kitchen backsplash as well with something simple like subway tile. Carpet in the bedrooms will be coming out for new wood looking tile as well. That’s pretty much everything that I’d like to do while I’m still living in it. Just tired and bored of the 10+ year old design and colors.

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

@Guevara M. You have your 'owner's hat' on get rid of it and put on your 'renter's cap'. You are seriously on the verge of over-improving and that is money straight down the toilet. Just have everything functional and that's it!

Colors mean basically nothing unless the outside seriously needs painting-forget it! Go out and buy yourself another house to rent if you have an urge to spend. These are renters not buyers; sure they have tastes too but they don't care half as much as you think they do.