1. Curb Appeal. Curb appeal is how a property looks from the street. We may not receive quality applications if a rental property does not look good from the outside. Professional landscapers should cut the grass, trim the bushes, prune trees back, and pressure wash the driveway (if needed).

2. Carpets professionally cleaned or replaced. Having the carpets professionally cleaned will make them last longer and make the inside of the home look better to prospective tenants. If the carpets cannot be cleaned, it is best to replace them.

3. Professional cleaner. Get a professional to clean the home top-to-bottom before showing it. Professional cleaners can clean every area of the property—fan blades, ovens, baseboards, and places that many landlords forget to clean themselves. This is important because applicants expect the rental property to be clean for showings, and tenants expect their rental property to be cleaned before moving in.

4. Fix Holes and Paint. Repair any holes in the wall and paint the property if needed. This will make it show better. Remember: Showing better means asking for a higher market price for the rent and renting the home quicker.

Getting a home rent-ready will help command the highest market value, which will, over time, provide the most significant “ROI” or return on investment.