I'm having trouble renting my SFH in the Cleveland area

[Amir B.]

Hello BPers,

My SFH has been vacant for over two months now. My rent started out at $1500, and now it's at $1400. Any local experts or any experienced PMs please let me know what the issue is.

https://www.zillow.com/myzillo...

Thanks,

Amir

[Patricia Drew]

Hi Amir,

The entry door and living room are very nice.  The original coved ceiling and doorbell are fantastic.  
This house has tremendous potential. Other than the flooring, you can make it look great without spending much money. And if you find hardwood under the carpet, you can fix this on a very small budget indeed.

If you're on a tight budget, most of what I'm suggesting you can do yourself.  

1. The carpet is stained and rippled throughout and should be removed. It may be clean, but it looks dirty, which is a huge turn-off. I wouldn't be surprised if you find some hardwood flooring in the living room.  This room would be lovely without the stained carpet.

This is just gross. 

2. In the den, consider removing the bar and definitely remove the cabinet near the fireplace. Perhaps apply a pickling stain the wood. In the first photo, I cleaned up the trim. The second photo shows pine like yours with a pickling stain.

3. Get rid of the out-dated curtains and replace them.

4. Again a nice coved ceiling, but it looks like the paint is peeling.  Fix it.  Replace the pendant ceiling light.  

5.  Replace the mirrors and side lights in the bathrooms.  The palm frond wallpaper isn't bad and I'd keep it.

6. Replace the bathroom vanity tops.  Wayfair has a nice selection.

7.  Remove the wallpaper, the curtain and whatever the hell that is on the wall.  Cost: $0

8. The laundry room is frightening.  This photo alone would make me take a pass on the rental.  What is going on with the shower sill and the floor?  These appear to be very simple fixes.  Sheet vinyl flooring is very inexpensive. And the tile looks dirty.

9.  This is the first thing they will notice when they drive by.  Sand and paint for $15.

10. Paint the kitchen cabinets. It's tricky to paint cabinets; have a professional do it. Remove the kitchen wallpaper.  Replace the hardware as well.

11.  Spruce up the yard.  I don't know if the grass just needs to be mowed or if those are weeds. Curb appeal is tremendously important.  

Consider xeriscaping.  Less watering and low maintenance. https://medium.com/green-horiz...

Best of luck!