Staging To Rent: Vacant Units

So, you have an unfurnished rental unit. A house, an apartment, a condo, whatever. Maybe you are just starting in the exciting life of rental ownership. Maybe you have been here a long time and are getting concerned because the unit is empty and, this time, no one seems to want it.

Maybe you read yesterday's blog about Staging To Rent furnished units and you wonder if Staging To Rent your unfurnished unit would be a good idea.

From a purely Staging point of view, yes, absolutely. That is because, fundamentally the psychology of buyers and renters is exactly the same: they are both looking for a home. The reasons may be different, they may be looking in different ways, but the need for a place to live is at the bottom of it all.

So, just as staged vacant houses sell much faster than empty vacant houses, staged rental properties rent faster.

If I stage a rental property, I do exactly the same things I would do if the house was for sale.

BUT...

(and it is an important but)

But, the logistics may be quite different.

When I Stage a vacant house to sell, I select then arrange for the seller to rent furniture. Some stagers keep an inventory of furniture so they can provide the rentals themselves. (That is one of the goals I am working towards.)

So, the furniture is delivered, set up, is significant in selling the house after which it is taken down, picked up, and goes away.

It can be that simple for rentals.

But, suppose the new renter leaves in a month? Suppose you have multiple rental units and another is scheduled to come open two weeks after this unit is rented.

Wouldn't it be nice to just reuse the all or part of same furniture?

If you have several rental units, give some thought to having your stager help you purchase standard furniture pieces. Purchase and store standard accessories like pictures and tschotkes too. Then, between uses, arrange a place to store them. Or rent them to other investors. Depending on where they are stored, your stager should be able to come in and set up in a matter of hours.

In the long run, that should reduce your costs and ensure you can get the unit back on the market quickly.

The next topic is one of my faves: You only get two chances to make to a First Impression!

Happy Friday.