If your West Lake Hills rental property has a porch or patio, you may be thinking about buying furniture for it. In any such way, an excellent outdoor space can add a lot to a rental home’s curb appeal. However, before you start shopping, there are a few things to consider carefully. Every rental property is different, and so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether outdoor furniture is the right choice for you and your tenants. For this reason, it’s important to consider all of the potential benefits and drawbacks before providing outdoor furniture to your tenants.
Perhaps the first thing to consider is how long patio furniture might last. Before spending money on anything for your rental home, you need to determine whether that investment will pay for itself. Part of that calculating is figuring out the life expectancy for any outdoor furniture you plan to buy. Unlike other elements of your investment property, there is no one number you can use.
The lifespan of your outdoor furniture varies widely depending on materials, construction, daily wear, and maintenance. Higher-quality furniture will probably last longer than cheaper items, but heavy use could shorten the life of any piece of outdoor furniture. What is more, if your tenant never covers or cares for the furniture, dirt, rust, or sun, rain, or snow exposure could quickly turn that beautiful outdoor chair or table into an eyesore.
One other significant thing to think about before buying outdoor furniture for your West Lake Hills rental property is whether the backyard and your property’s location is suited for it. Making the move to fill a small patio or porch with large furniture isn’t a great look, and neither is putting in very small pieces to a large space. Either one might make your property’s outdoor spaces look uncomfortable, rather than inviting.
Furthermore, it’s also just as important to consider how your tenants use the space, your landscape design, and what types of outdoor furniture would best compliment the house. Certain materials may not last long in some climates, while others are an injury lawsuit waiting to ensue. Case in point, metal furniture can get very hot in the sun and cause serious burns in warmer climates, especially during the summer.
Prior to deciding to buy outdoor furniture, it’s also a good idea to consider the question from your tenant’s perspective. Some tenants may already have some patio and other furniture, and may not want the furniture you provide. This may generate a new list of problems, including where to store the unused furniture.
Then again, if you don’t provide outdoor furniture, your tenants might decide to “decorate” the porch or patio with furniture that is not designed for outdoor use. Placing a sofa or other unsuitable furniture outside of your rental home could quickly become a huge problem. Not only will the fabric invite bugs, rodents, and mold, it will also start to look and smell terrible in a short amount of time. If you already have outdoor furniture in place, you significantly reduce the chances that your tenant will add unsuitable furniture of their own.
Eventually, buying outdoor furniture for your West Lake Hills rental property is a decision only you can make. However, with the correct information and some well thought out research, you can more easily choose which route makes sense for your investment properties.
Looking for more advice, or even someone to manage your rental? Reach out to Real Property Management Advisors! Contact us online or call us at 512-777-2597 today.
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