Preparing your home for rent or sale? We can help.

Sometimes people become landlords because they are moving interstate or to a regional area. Others become landlords on behalf of their aging parents who might be moving to supported care. In either case, it can be difficult to know where to start – especially if you suspect the property may need some updates to maximise rental returns.

But that’s actually one of the ways Stills Properties can help. In fact our founder, Brigitte Stills, became a property manager when she couldn’t find a conscientious person to manage her own home while her husband was posted overseas.

That was over 30 years ago and since then, Brigitte has dedicated her career to advising landlords on ways to reduce vacancy rates and increase rental income.

So what do you do as a first-time landlord?

 1. Acknowledge the imperfections of your home

Most properties need refreshing before they go to market. In older homes, it’s common for kitchens and bathrooms to need some improvements. You also need to consider whether painting, a garden makeover, new window furnishings and/or new flooring are required.

2. Get expert advice

Renovating a home doesn’t necessarily mean you need to demolish entire rooms and spend a fortune. Frequently, there are less expensive options and superficial changes that can greatly improve the appeal of your property. That’s where experience really counts.

At Stills Properties, we offer an advisory service to guide landlords on what needs to be done now and what may need to be done in the medium term. We’ll assist you in selecting fixtures and fittings that provide the greatest appeal for a cost effective investment. We can also give you a list of trusted and highly experienced trades who will assist you in a timely manner.

3. Is your property compliant?

Along with your property’s aesthetics, you need to ensure it’s compliant. This includes checking safety switches and smoke detectors are working as well as having an Electrical Safety Certificate. Again, we can provide you with contact details of qualified and efficient electricians, if required.

Comprehensive Project & Property Management

Some landlords find the thought of supervising the renovation of their property quite overwhelming but that’s something we do to assist our landlords. It means we can match all upgrades and renovations to the most appropriate tenant profile for your property. It also means there’s no money wasted on unnecessary improvements. Instead, you can be sure you are investing in the right areas to increase rental returns and minimise vacancy times.

So if you are a first-time landlord who’s seeking advice and a conscientious property manager, ask Brigitte for a rental appraisal of your property. Call 1300 091 638 or email propertymanager@stillsproperties.com.au