I currently have 2 vacancies (down from 3):

I am finding folks want:

- full bathroom in the basement

- separate bathroom for the master

- newish kitchen

What are you finding tenant must haves?

Must have money. Must have GOOD and LONG time job. Smart enough to fill out an app. Smart enough to know they won't trick the LL.

Looking like Marilyn Monroe wouldn't hurt?

I took a chapter from Mr. Landlord's play book. When I purchased a half empty apartment complex, I set up three kinds of units. The "Standard", The "Deluxe" and The "Custom" unit.

For $795 a month one got a unit with a couple year old paint, carpet and a few basic appliances. For $1295 one got new paint, flooring, window coverings, full appliances and parking. This left the "Custom" unit, where an applicant could choose what was most important to them, and have the price set on their wishes.

What tenants want is brand new and shiny. They want turn key move-in ready with granite ad stainless steel.

They want a beautiful neighborhood and a gorgeous landscaped lawn, which they won't take care of.

They want to be walking distance from restaurants, clubs, and their place of work, for half the going rate for rent.

Home buyers are more realistic than tenants are.

No one can provide what tenants want at the price they want to pay, so you have to aim for what they will settle for: clean, in good repair, for fair market value.

Things that they are happy to see in a rental: garage door opener, dishwasher, clean, fenced yard. In central oregon, they all want a wood stove.

Laura and Woodsmoke's tenants are living on different planets than mine. One of the reasons "one size fits all" doesn't work when asking for and receiving advice/assistance here.

Laura,

Mine want perfection. EVERYTHING must be repaired, replaced, scrubbed super clean, and smelling great.

I cannot change the number of bathrooms but I CAN make the batheoom look fantastic.

They also want NICE appliances.

We install dishwasher and disposal whenever possible. Use the 3/4 hp disposal for no jams. Good applicants want these things. LLs who refuse to have such amenities are pushing the good people away.

We also install washer/dryer hooks ups if possible. That is a huge selling feature. Some are along the wall of a bedroom but they are there!

BRAD

My tenants want affordable rent, clean, mold-free (that's a real issue in NC: humid and lots of actual floods from hurricanes) oh and close to everything. Driving 10 miles is a HUGE deal...whah whah...

As for appliances, WORKING is the key word. A washer & dryer is crucial as no laundromats for 180 miles. A dishwasher is a big deal for some, others never turn it on.

Knowing what residents want is 1/2 of the picture - the other half of the picture is teaching them what they can afford.

I have many folks that want 3 large bedrooms in an A neighborhood, 2 huge baths and a 3 car garage - all on the McJob income that they have.

I do have a nice clean place for this person in a solid C location that is about 50 years old but has been updated 20 years ago.

Mine are like Susan’s.

An amenity that is becoming popular in my area for sfh is lawn mowing included. I’ve gone to this, and it has been successful. A little hiccup this summer when I had some surgery, but son in law and husband stepped in. Gets me on each property once a week, not inside, but I used to find that it was becoming two-three weeks before I had driven by some of my properties before. (I can get lazy)