When you’re renting out a Killeen property, rental values and long-term ROI typically starts with attracting and retaining the best residents you can find. You need your property to be competitive on the market, and that’s often going to depend largely on the condition of your unit.
If your property has aging carpet, fading walls, and appliances that are 20 years old, don’t expect the best tenants to want your rental home. However, if you offer a modern, attractive, and well-maintained property, you’ll have a large pool of renters wanting to make your property their home. This helps to avoid expensive vacancies. You’ll find good residents, and earn as much rent as possible.
Amenities make a difference. When you include the right amenities in your property, you’re easily going to attract good residents and higher rental values. You’ll enjoy better tenant retention and a home value that continues to climb higher and higher.
As a Killeen property management company, we see what tenants are looking for in their next rental home. We can tell you how to leverage the amenities you currently have, and where to look for potential new amenities when you’re preparing your property for the market.
Here’s our list of the best amenities that will attract high-quality tenants to your Killeen rental property.
Security Systems and Safety Measures
More than ever before, tenants are looking for amenities that keep them safe and give them a sense of security. If your property is equipped with an alarm system, a video doorbell, working smoke detectors, and other features that provide safety and security, you’re ahead of the game.
The Texas Property Code requires some of these things, such as bolts on the door, peepholes, and new locks between tenants. Beyond those legal requirements, the best residents will look for amenities that make them feel safe. The security features we’re recommending will not only be good for attracting and retaining tenants, they’ll also protect your investment.
Some of the best safety amenities you can provide include:
- A security system that’s ready to be activated. This can be expensive to pay for every month, but you can simply have it installed and available, and your tenants will have the option of activating it. Or, to really be competitive, you can pay to keep it active, and offer that as a property amenity.
- Video doorbells. These have become extremely popular, especially among single-family homes in residential neighborhoods. Tenants can see who is at the front door and watch as their packages are delivered. Some models even record a video of who comes and goes. This investment will be attractive to tenants, and you’ll be able to see anyone who approaches your property.
- Updated exterior lighting. Consider motion-detector lights, especially on garages and any outbuildings like sheds. Make sure the front porch is well-lit, and always provide enough lighting for tenants and their guests as they make their way from the driveway or parking area to the front door.
All of these safety amenities will be good for attracting and retaining tenants. They’ll also help you protect your property better. In fact, if you install a security system or a video doorbell, discuss those upgrades with your insurance agent. The cost of your premium could be reduced when you add amenities like these.
Appliances as Amenities in Killeen Rental Homes
Appliances are important amenities to tenants, and one of the best amenities you can provide to your tenants is in-unit laundry. There want to provide a dedicated washer and dryer in your rental property, whether you’re renting out a townhome, a condo, or a single-family home. Good residents are looking for ease and convenience, and not having to do laundry elsewhere is something they’ll pay more for. In the current market, you need to provide in-unit laundry. At the very least, there should be washer and dryer hook-ups in case tenants want to move in their own appliances. Having them in place will really set your property apart, however, and allow you to charge more in rent.
The appliances in your rental home should be modern and they should match. They also ought to be energy-efficient. This is becoming more and more of a priority to tenants in Killeen and throughout Texas. Going green is on everyone’s mind. Tenants will be drawn to your rental with energy-efficient appliances because they’ll expect their energy costs and utility bills will be kept down.
Appliances that use less water and electricity and gas will also contribute to your investment property’s long-term sustainability. Conduct a complete audit of your property’s efficiency. Replace old light bulbs, and switch out incandescent lights for LED bulbs.
Pet-Friendly Housing and Amenities
Pets on their own are not necessarily amenities, but when you offer pet-friendly amenities such as a gated backyard, proximity to a dog park, or a cat door, you’re going to appeal to those tenants who want to move in with their furry family members.
Pets are important to tenants, and they also provide you with a great way to make more money on your rental home. We know that not all rental property owners love pets. Sure, they can be risky. We know what a cat can do to the paint on your walls. We’ve seen dogs dig up landscaping. Odors tend to linger in a carpet.
With a strong pet policy in place, however, your property will be protected. Allowing pets and providing pet-friendly amenities will help you attract and keep good residents.
Here’s why it’s worth it to appeal to people through their pets:
- There’s a lower vacancy period when you rent out pet-friendly properties. You have a larger pool of tenants, so your home rents faster.
- You can charge a pet fee. This is a non-refundable fee that’s usually $200 or $300 per pet.
- You can charge pet rent. This is an additional $25 – $50 per month, per pet.
Keep a strict pet policy that requires vaccinations and flea treatments. Be clear about how many pets you’ll allow, what sizes they can be, and how many tenants may move in. The pet policy should include how you expect your tenants to care for and control their pets. Then, you can have a relatively low-risk tenancy with a lot of extra income because you’re renting out a pet-friendly home.
Include information on pets and your pet amenities in your marketing materials to attract the largest possible pool of tenants.
Smart Home Technology for Killeen Rental Properties
Technology is one of the most important amenities you can provide. It starts with great Wi-Fi. Typically, you’ll leave your tenants to set up their own internet service accounts. However, you want to make sure your property can provide strong internet services. Older buildings with thick walls can be problematic. Provide incoming tenants with some recommendations on the best providers and faster internet speeds.
We mentioned how technology such as video doorbells can be a huge selling point, and if you really want to impress the tenants who come to see your home, you’ll implement some smart home amenities that tenants will be thrilled to access. Consider:
- Video doorbells
- Smart thermostats
- Lights that turn on via an app
- Appliances that sync with cell phones
- Smart locks
You don’t have to go all the way in terms of wiring your unit for the latest technological marvels. But, if you choose a few amenities and offer them to tenants, you’ll find that your property really stands out in the Killeen rental market.
Attractive and Simple Landscaping
Tenants want outdoor space. Even if you have only a courtyard or a patio to offer them, make sure you leverage what you do have. It will make a difference to residents who want to work and live outside as much as they work and live inside.
To earn as much as possible, your rental property needs curb appeal. Start by keeping the outside of the home clean and welcoming.
If you’re renting out a home with a yard, tenants are going to pay more for the property. When you provide landscaping services in the rental amount, you’re also earning more and maintaining control over how your property looks.
Landscaping is something that your Killeen investment property will need year-round. When you provide the service, you’ll increase your rental value, ensure tenant satisfaction, and protect the condition and value of your asset. Find a reliable vendor, and roll the costs of hiring them into what you charge every month in rent. Your tenant is paying for it, but they don’t have to worry about that part of maintaining your property.
These are some of the amenities we have found that tenants most appreciate in a Killeen rental home. If you have any questions about this, or anything pertaining to Killeen property management, please reach out to us at Shine Residential Management.
A property management company based in Harker Heights, Shine Residential Management cares for exceptional single-family homes throughout Central Texas, including in Killeen, Temple, Belton, Copperas Cove, Salado, and Georgetown.
