Updating Rentals: Did I miss anything?

[Gregory Atnip]

Buying a duplex as a house hack in February. Both units are vacant 2 bed 1 bath. Wanting to update before listing and renting in June. 

Based on previous articles I found a lot of what are good things to update.

Current expected updates come February will be: new flooring in all living and bed rooms rooms (currently all carpet), painting all walls, electronic keypad deadbolt locks, new sink faucets, new shower heads, new kitchen faucets, and replacing all bulbs with leds. 

All electrical and plumbing was redone in 90s and heaters are forced air 2010, and water heaters are both gas 2012.

Is there anything else that should be updated that is worth the investment big or small?

[Greg Scott]

Gregory:

Congrats on taking your first step.

I would caution you that reading articles is OK for ideas but not a good way to decide what to implement.   

What you need to do is understand what is going on in your neighborhood.   Go check on other similar rental properties and compare finishes vs rent asked.

You may find that your plan is over-improving the property.  In that case you are making improvements the tenants may like but cannot pay for.

You may find that your plan is under-improving the property.  In that case, it may take longer to rent your unit or you will have to accept undesirable tenants because all the good ones can go get a nicer property next door.

Pretend you are a tenant seeking a place to live and compare your property to the others.    Then look at the costs needed to optimize rent and minimize vacancy.  That is the only way to know the right level of improvements you need to make.

Good luck!