Spend $$ on updates or list for rent and see what happens?

[Charlotte H.]

This is our first property we are not buying to live in. We have another investment property that we had as our primary home for years, fixed up and did lots nice projects that we knew improved the home but we also enjoyed ourselves.

Fast forward to now we are looking at this investment property that has 1 big safety fix and is in good shape other than that. It's tempting to update some of the finishes to the level we like (tile in the bathrooms vs linoleum, newer dining room fixture, tile backsplash vs laminate, replace countertops with something a little nicer than the flaking laminate...etc) 

What do you find gets you the biggest buck with minimal $$ when it comes to renting. I am trying to compare the home to others for rent in the area and there aren't a ton on the market that line up with age/bed/bath etc 

Better to focus on low cost cosmetic fixes or spend a little on nicer finishes? And is this something you worry with after trying to rent first? 

We are in a different part of Atlanta so don't know this landsape as well and in our past experience we've rented things we've lived in so knew the ins and outs of the area.