I asked AI what are the upgrades that help in marketing vacancies. They are suggesting technology upgrades. What are your thoughts?

Upgraded internet and streaming apps: Keyless entry systems, smart thermostats and Netflix are tops among the amenities expected by today’s renters. Newer buildings offer smart technologies, but if you have an older property, upgrade it. Include popular streaming channels. The cost will attract tenants that seek reliable connectivity. It will quickly pay for itself.

Several years ago, I did those on a little 2/1 (other than paying for a streaming app), and it was received very well. Got good (no - excellent) tenants.

What I did:

Keypad deadbolt on front door

Programmable thermostat

Extra support in the wall for a spot to mount a TV, if wanted

A dedicated space for a router - shelf, electrical receptacle, & high-speed cable all located together. Called it Plug-and-play wifi.

And in the mid-term rentals, currently:

Programmable T-stats, Keypad entry, Very fast internet with the router & internet already provided & set up and smart TV.

I do not pay for a streaming service - everyone has their favorite.

Something to give it curb appeal. A front door pop of color, some flowers in a pot or a small flower bed, nicely trimmed bushes and trees are all worthwhile. You don't get a 2nd chance at a first impression.

No to smart thermostats. I had an Nest thermostat at an AirBnb and couldn't figure out how to work that POS. Press turn press what a pain in the tail. I don't know if the thermostat did it or the owners did it but it would shut off at night and not work. Give them a nice digital thermostat with up and down arrows. Keep it simple.

Electronic locks are great but eat through batteries. So yes on a short or midterm rental, no on a long term rental.

Long term rental? - they can buy whatever fast internet and services their little millennium hearts want.

Upgrades I like are

LVP - no carpet

New light fixtures that take regular daylight LED bulbs. No integrated LED lights.

Gutter guards to keep the leaves out of the gutters

Vinyl replacement windows if the house is old and the windows are painted shut

Vinyl trim on soffits if it is wood and painted. Decrease maintenance and make it look better.

New mailbox if the old one looks worn out.

Making the outside look nice with mulch around the house and trees.

Every time, I mean every time a tenant replaced my standard A/C - Heat Thermostat, with a "Smart One", when the power goes off and the memory is gone because the never replaced the back up batter,

I get a call at 2 AM, they have no HEAT! Never mentioning they replace the thermostat themselves. So I call 1 of 3 HVAC guys I use, depending on the location of the rental to their home.

And you know what I get?? A big fat bill! Putting back a standard thermostat, so the system WORKS!

And you know what my tenant does again, they put the SMART thermostat back. But not saving the instructions, they can't get it to work!

No to the smart thermostats. Our tenant can't figure out how to work a basic one, and a LOT of our units have through-wall heat pumps that can't use them - they get the remotes that come with. Our HVAC guy hates NESTS, btw.

No to electronic locks - half our tenants don't lock their doors anyway. We happily use Landlord Locks.

No to paying for any utility for anyone. For internet, they are better off getting a new customer discount for a year anyway. and as noted, everyone has their own streaming favorites - if we provided Netflix, they would want Disney+. If we provided Disney+ they would want Britbox. It does NOT pay for itself and puts me in the position of tracking yet another account.

Our tenants appreciate fences and laundry equipment as much as anything.

Robert: Don't you mean the TENANT is out $195?

"Lower energy costs make rental units stand out from competition."

No one has ever asked us about energy conservation. As my DH always says, no one has ever moved to the beach to save on energy.

Bonanza and WMH for the win.

I don't agree with that 6er....at least not exactly. It depends more on who your target market segment is. If i wanted baby boomers for example, maybe grip handles on the tub would be important, along with (shag) carpeting. If I wanted to rent to young nurses - safety and cleanliness would be important. Matching the target to the right incentive goes a long way instead of reaching out to thousands of people to get that one successful lead that becomes a customer.

I focus on

updated colors (off white warm tones)

black hardware and lights and ceiling fans

Carpet free

Super neat, super clean, smelling super good.

Trimmed bushes and mulch.

Updated mailbox

Modern house numbers

None of this counts if we don't have GREAT photos online because the first showing is ONLINE. Blah pix = swipe.

Also, every item must be easy to manage - no maint, no batteries...

BRAD

I focus on

updated colors (off white warm tones)

black hardware and lights and ceiling fans

Carpet free

Super neat, super clean, smelling super good.

Trimmed bushes and mulch.

Updated mailbox

Modern house numbers

None of this counts if we don't have GREAT photos online because the first showing is ONLINE. Blah pix = swipe.

Also, every item must be easy to manage - no maint, no batteries...

BRAD

PS

My single or low income residents just use their phones for internet, Netflix, YouTube...

YT viewership has officially passed old school TV.