4 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Airbnb Rental

Learn how to style up your space for Airbnb rental!

As the trend continues for real estate investors to transition their home from lease contracts to Airbnb rentals, owners are discovering higher monthly returns and less hassle with their investments. But there are a few things that an owner needs to do in order to become the kind of host that receives consistently high reviews for their property stays. In this article, we are going to share four surefire things you can do to prepare yourself to be a successful host on the Airbnb platform, while earning you some extra bucks in the process.

Update YOUR Property.

Yes, Airbnb guests want the experience of being in a home. But let’s make a distinction here... they want a nice home experience. When someone spends their hard-earned money on a place away from home to lay their head, they have certain expectations. One of the expectations is a place that is well put-together and aesthetically pleasing. If your budget doesn’t allow for full renovations, at least make sure that your home looks updated, fresh and stylish. A can of paint, yanking carpet from nice hardwood floors and adding some stylish accents (pillows, art and end tables) can do wonders for a home. At a loss for how to decorate each room? Think of each space in themes like coastal or glam or farmhouse chic. Turn on HGTV and check out some of the small, yet inexpensive ways that you can transform your property.

Provide Some Amenity.

Providing amenity does not have to be an expensive venture. Amenity for an Airbnb guest means allowing them to have things that they need and would expect at a hotel, or better. If your house has a full kitchen, with clean appliances obviously, provide additional things such as a a coffee pot with coffee and tea. If you can afford a Keurig, that would be better, less frustrating and easier solution. Keep the cabinet or pantry stocked with seasonings, cooking oil, dishes, wine glasses, eating and cooking utensils and pots and pans so that they can save money by cooking in. Also, keep cleaning products under the sink with some dish towels and leave a roll of paper towels under the sink. In the bathroom, have a couple of bottles of travel-sized soaps, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste and some unwrapped toothbrushes. Have some bathroom cleaner and a sponge in the linen closet for their use. Also, a plunger and toilet brush, clean and neat, hidden behind the toilet will be very helpful for them. Have enough toilet paper stocked for them and include a bath mat or towel so that they don’t slip on the floor after their bath or shower.

Clean Your Home, But Be Efficient.

The best thing you can do is to keep a cleaning supply closet that’s locked when guests are present. Keep it stocked with a broom and dustpan, a mop and bucket, bleach, all surface cleaners, window cleaner, disinfectant sprays and wipes, cleaning towels, paper towels, furniture polish, bathroom cleaning soaps and a vacuum cleaner. You can also store additional items that you will replenish after each stay such as bath soaps, laundry soaps, fabric softeners, dishwashing liquid, toilet paper and travel size toiletries in bulk. Make sure that you clean every corner of your house. From the floors, to the walls and counters, deep cleaning is required, particularly in the bathroom and the kitchen where water and dirt create nasty build-up. Clean your appliances inside and out. And make sure to wipe down window ledges and blinds. These are crucial areas to focus on to garner great reviews.

Linens, Linens, Linens.

When hosting an Airbnb rental, linens are extremely important. Not only do you want a nice looking bedspread and pillows, you also want to make sure that you have good quality sheets. But washing one set of sheets after every checkout would be incredibly time-consuming and inefficient. The best thing to do is to have four or five sets of sheets and pillowcases per bed in the home so that you only have to drop them in the washer and dryer once a week. You also want to do the same for towels. You’ll probably want to have about five sets of body towels, hand towels and face rags for every 1 bedroom in the home. Wash all your linens thoroughly with fragrance-free detergent to prevent your guests from having allergic reactions. A great, liquid fabric softener will keep them in good condition. Fold them nicely and store them neatly in a clean linen closet or drawer for easy access.

Extras

• You definitely want to make sure to have a fire extinguisher in the home and to assure that your smoke detector is in good working condition.

• Make sure all light bulbs work and keep some extras in your cleaning supply closet.

• All windows should have blinds or curtains for privacy.

• Leave a welcome check-in letter for your guests with instructions for the house. Let them know where they can find the items that they need, how to use cool appliances and how you can be reached for an emergency.

• A couple of other things to consider would be snacks. Grab a big bag or box of cookies, crackers and/ or chips and leave a basket full on the counter for guests to snack on. Just refill them after each check out and store them away for the next check-in.

• Snag some local attraction and tour pamphlets from a local hotel and keep them in a nice neat rack or basket in the living room. This will give your guests the opportunity to know what’s going on in the city and to experience some of the local attractions. You might want to include a binder of local area restaurant menus so that they can go for a meal or order take-out.

10 Ways To Add Value To Your Home

In this article, we are going to share the top 10 ways that a homeowner can improve their house to add real value and to appeal to a buyer willing to pay top price.

When a homeowner considers the things that may add value to their home, sometimes they mistake personal aesthetic preferences with necessary additions. Things like “man caves” and “she sheds” can often be designed in a way that is too specific to the owner’s style to appeal to a potential or future buyer. Movie theater rooms are more likely to sell better in high-end neighborhoods, if they are neutral in design, but that’s not always a guarantee. And don’t let us start with pools, which create too much liability, expense and insurance issues to be worth it. In this article, we are going to share the top 10 ways that a homeowner can improve their house to add real value and to appeal to a buyer willing to pay top price.

Fresh Paint

Remember, neutral colors are best such as whites, grays and calming tans. You can get a good quality paint for about $30 a gallon and it will do wonders to adding freshness and a sense of simple style to your home.

Update the Kitchen Hardware

It’s not always necessary to go through the expense and hassle of changing out cabinets and countertops, unless they are in horrible condition. New handles and hardware can update your kitchen in a major way and can be inexpensive to boot. Cabinets and counters can use fresh paint and there is paint made appropriately for those items.

REMOVE THE CARPET

(If there is hardwood under the carpet) This is typically the case in older model homes. Carpet holds allergens, odors, dirt and stains that can often be hard and expensive to remove. On top of that, a lot of carpet just makes the house look dated. If you have hardwood floors, opt for it and just remove that carpet.

Curb Appeal

The outside of your home if the first thing that people will see when coming to view your house. Therefore, it’s important that the lawn be neat and mowed. The walkways should be swept, the doors and porch may need to be painted to update the look. And during the holidays, add simple decorations to create a welcoming feel. Make sure the lights work and the gutters and spouts are cleaned. And don’t forget to clean and sweep the patio.

Take Care of Major Repairs

When a home goes into contract, an inspection is always necessary if the buyer is using a mortgage company for a loan. If the major items are not in good working condition, you’ll be asked to take care of them or to lower your asking price. Take care of them sooner rather than later. Leaky faucets and runny toilets are huge. But so is the plumbing and any water damage therein. Update old that furnace and hot water tank, even if just for your own safety and peace of mind. And don’t forget to have any electrical issues repaired.

Declutter Your Home

Make sure your space is neat and organized. A messy, disheveled home is a major distraction to someone interested in your home. Find a proper place for your items and keep it clean. Organize rooms, closets and storage spaces so that all of your things fit neatly and properly.

Update the Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is the space used for cooking and entertaining, so it tends to be the place where people congregate. Updated appliances are very important to creating a great vibe in the kitchen, that feels current. Here’s a secret: three times a year Lowe’s deeply discounts their appliances to make room for new inventory. You can get great appliances at very affordable prices.

Bathroom Updates

The bathrooms are very important to the value of your home. Make sure that the hardware is updated. If necessary replace the toilet (or just the seats if that’s all that’s necessary). Make sure that the faucets and shower heads are not leaking and that the toilets are not running. The caulking around the tub should be neat, floors should be clean and if need be, add a fresh coat of paint.

Smells Smells Smells

The way your home smells will either attract or repel potential buyers and guests in general. Please don’t smoke inside your home, please do neutralize pet odors and heavy cooking smells. Carpet tends to hold a lot of these odors, so replacing it might be a good idea, if you can afford it. And cleaning your vents will help with the odors a great deal.

Lights Must Work

Visit every room and outdoor space in your home that has a light socket. Make sure the bulbs and all switches work appropriately. Buyers need to see the home as clearly as possible. As well, if the lights don’t work, it could point to an electrical issue that will repel a buyer from giving an offer. Take care of those lights as soon as possible.

Rates UP, Inventories Up: Is this the beginning of another Real Estate Crisis? Or Not?

Buyer’s Market?  Who knows. Personally, I believe the market will slow down because nothing lasts forever.  The good news: there is always a market, always buyers and always sellers. And the market is continuously moving.  If your property goes for thousands over list price, then if you are going immediately into a purchase expect your are going to pay more because you are in high selling market. It’s a dilemma.  And that is one of the reasons why sellers don’t sell when the market is paying higher dollar amounts for their properties. Then again If you sell and the market has flattened, you are likely to benefit when you are purchasing because the market is more stable and less inflated.  The market is the market and the reason to buy or sell is your personal circumstance. If you need to move, then you should move and as your agent, we will help you to get the best deal in any market. Its 6 or half dozen.

This seller’s market has been something else.  It is highly unusually in a midwestern city of less than 4 million people.  It’s something that happens in those larger metropolis’ and now has become just ‘what it is” like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Miami or Boston.   

According to the Ranking folks, Columbus for more than just a moment was the 5th hottest market in the country.  Its funny because we also ranked pretty high when foreclosures where more than 30% of sales 2008- 2011.  

So the questions remains, are we now going into a buyer’s market?  This is what I think, I believe interest rates will climb a bit more and it will slow down the buyer’s eagerness.  I believe seller’s will think they need to hurry up and catch the wave before they miss it and then inventories will rise.  When inventories rise, the buyer’s will have more options in price, terms and selection of homes to choose from. Does this mean buyer’s market?  No it does not, because the true test is if the market sustains the very heavy demand that occurs in the Spring 2019- through school starting months late July and August.  It seems to me the shear numbers will push us right back where we were last spring in fiery, highest and best, stampede marketplace where buyers may bid on several before they achieve the goal of going into contract.

With all of that said, the fall is providing a welcomed opportunity for buyer’s to have better pricing, terms and selection for the next few months.  Meaning, they may not be 15 to 20% overbidding to get in contract, or competing with multiple buyers for mediocre “needs work housing” or settling for less then they could get if they purchased in the fall.

I hope I left you with a fair minded, professional opinion that has been worth your time reading.

Theresa Barron is the Broker and the Owner of Take a Look Real Estate Brokers.  She has been serving Central Ohio Homeowners and Buyers for more than 25 years.  Theresa is a solutions oriented Broker. She and her team are out of the box thinkers and bring fresh ideas to their clients, adding immense value at a time when clients needs must be the focus.  Give her a call if she can be of assistance to you in your home selling or buying needs. She loves what she does and it shows.

3 Tips to Downsize Your Home and Your Life

So you’ve been thinking about downsizing and getting a fresh new start.

Great! For empty nesters, retirees, and people who just need a certain level of change, downsizing can often be a wonderful way to initiate the process. It can provide you with a sense of freedom, because often when you transform one area of your life, all the other areas are transformed in the process.

You know how it goes. Paul and Miranda decide that they really want to embark upon a more exciting lifestyle. Their friends, Damon and Ashanti, always have great travel stories over dinner and they want some of that mobile, global juice in their glass, too. The thought of downsizing crossed Miranda’s mind, but it wasn’t until after another inspiring dinner with their friends that she decided to ask Paul his thoughts about it. She was starting to feel a bit restless since their daughter, Kaitlyn, had gone off to college at Bowling Green. And since Paul was on the brink of retirement from his 20 year role as an advertising consultant, it actually made sense to him, too.

For most people, downsizing isn’t just about purchasing a smaller home. It’s about following your imagination into a world of less waste, clutter, confusion, and every part of your lifestyle that isn’t what you envision for yourself.

Here are 3 tips to consider in making a transition to a home environment that suits your changing lifestyle. And if you stick around, you’ll learn about an interesting economic opportunity to downsize and supplement your retirement income in the process.

Tip 1: First downsize your mind.

In today’s world of global, technological expansion, we as humans have more access to information than at any time in human history. Our ability to make new, like minded friends in far away countries, heal people with amazing new medical technology, and even gain access to innovative productivity solutions at the tap of a button prove that the information age has been of huge benefit to modern society.

However, the flip side of this progress is information overload! Social media gives us access to so many people with so many opinions, rational or otherwise. Thousands of television channels provide us not only with a variety of entertainment choices, but also the dueling narratives of the corporations that control the media. In a 1 mile stretch down streets like Broad or Main, we’re bombarded with advertising billboards, political bumper stickers, and so many restaurant choices that your taste buds dry up before you even sit down to eat.

To downsize your mind is to take back your clarity and sanity, and to decide what information is productive, necessary even, to your life experience. Are there social media applications that seem to consume your day and drain you of positivity and focused performance? Yes, knowing what’s happening around the world is important, but is watching national and international unrest on a nightly basis taking away from things you could be learning, like how to speak Portuguese or how to play the didgeridoo?

For some, the downsizing of your mind isn’t even about technology. Are there people in your life that you could really take a break from, even eliminate from your inner circle? What about that job that you despise. Isn’t it time to finally find something that fulfills you and employs your talents and passions?

Moreover, for all of us, some of the downsizing needs to be self reflective. Our own beliefs and habits can hinder our efficiency and creativity more than the ugly faced troll that insulted your heartfelt Facebook post. Are you harboring negative beliefs about yourself or others that are clearly no longer serving you? Do you have unhealthy habits that affect your health, relationships and finances?

Begin to take inventory of the information you are processing through technology, relationships and entertainment and decide which things really empower you and toss out those that don’t.

Tip 2: Downsize your clutter.

Let’s talk about that “catch all” drawer in your kitchen with the pens, business cards, sticky ketchup packets, bandaids, maroon lipstick, hammers, and the M.C. Hammer cassette tape “collectible” from ‘91 that you plan to play for your future grandchildren. You might even be more like the author of this article that thinks Architectural Digest magazines are as important as vegetables, and has to resell half her book collection back to Half Priced Books every year. Or maybe you think that all those slacks from the Men’s Warehouse that you bought on sale, two years ago, will fit you after you drop 15 pounds!

Unless you are the neatest most organized person on this side of the Erie, its possible that you have some clutter that you need to let go of. I get it. This is also a mind thing. We keep extra trinkets, gadgets, doohickeys and whatchamacallits, because we think we’ll actually need them or use them again. In other cases, subconsciously, it’s a connection, or even a protection mechanism, associated with our pasts. Either way, we have to know when enough is enough.

Clearing out the spaces and places in our homes can be such a rich, rewarding feeling. Healthy energy can flow freely throughout the crevices, corners and closets leaving us with a sense of calm. As well, when our home is clutter free, our clarity is heightened, as well as our ability to feel at peace in a home that isn’t nagging for this or that to constantly be done.

Consider going through your closet to eliminate extra items that you don’t need any longer. Think about those drawers that when emptied could house a new pair of nice cooking utensils. Throw out all of those old things in the garage that collect dust and cobwebs. Clear out the bathroom cabinets of those outdated hair products and toiletries. Hair spritz! Really? We need to stop it. By the way, I promise you don’t need to hold on to all those “magazines”. Your wife really hates them.

Overhaul your home and then just watch how much more alive you feel knowing that your house is less congested.

Tip 3: Downsize your home.

Did you know that the FHA (Federal Housing Authority) has a program for people who are looking to downsize that could potentially eliminate having to making a monthly payment at all? For people who are 62 or older, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program (or HECM for short) is a reverse mortgage solution that enables you to use the equity in your new home as monthly mortgage payments. For some people, this is an excellent source of supplemental retirement income and a smooth downsizing transition into a home that suits your life better.

There are certain rules and guidelines that must be met to qualify for this program. But as long as you do, this could potentially be a perfect fresh start to a new, exciting and stress free chapter of your life.

Reach out to Theresa Cray, broker with Take a Look Real Estate. She’ll give you all of the information that you need in order to understand the program, find out if its the solution to your downsizing needs and shepherd you through the process successfully. She’s been in the real estate industry for over two decades and can boast a vast array of experience, knowledge, education, and compassion. Her passion is for the people and she uses every amazing tool in her collection to fulfill her client’s real estate needs and to make sure that their lifestyles and livelihoods are markedly improved through working with her.

If you would like to have an inspiring conversation with her about all of the resources available to you so that can downsize your lifestyle with ease and success, complete the form below. We will also make sure to send you our monthly newsletter so that you can get the inside scoop on Columbus real estate. Besides you can impress your friends at the cocktail party with all your newfound economic knowledge. As well, tune in to the Take A Look Real Estate Brokers Facebook page by clicking here and check out the “Ask Theresa” real estate live stream every Wednesday at noon. She might even be able to answer your questions live!

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How to Find the Right Home

What is the “right” home?

But the word “right” is relative, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you say that what you would consider to be “right” in a home is vastly different than what Cookie from Empire would consider “right”, or what your co-worker, Barry in accounting, would consider “right”? So for the purposes of this blog, we will just use the word “right” as if you are the only person in the world. Our hope is that when you finish this simple mental process, you will understand how these factors affect your life and be prepared for the next step of the home buying process.

Find that house. But first, know thyself.

With the purchase of real estate, particularly a home, comes some emotional and environmental realities that contribute your life experience.

Let me explain it this way:

Curtis and Monique are considering buying a house in a brand new community on the East side that’s all the rave. It’s a 4 bedroom, 3 and a half bath situation with hardwood floors and a finished basement. And at that price, its all that Curtis, a newly graduated attorney, could have ever wanted. Meanwhile, Monique, a sales rep for a tech company in Grandview, was worried about her morning drive, not having a large master bathroom, and being too far away from her 3 sisters. Besides, she “haaaaates” cookie cutter new builds.

So is it fair to say that going inside yourself, getting real and clarifying your priorities are the best first steps to buying a house?

Let’s Get Real.

...real about what we want and need that is. Pretend you have one of those fancy cameras. Let’s zoom out real wide with a look at your life and goals and slowly zoom in to get a close up of the house that fits your wider view. Oh, and if you have a sheet of paper and a pen, you can jot some notes.

Location

Depending on your career, relationships, educational needs and lifestyle, all neighborhoods aren’t built to be the same. Think about your career. Your job or business makes possible almost everything related to your lifestyle. For most of us, it takes up a large portion our time. The commute to and from work is also something to consider.

How far of a commute are you comfortable with?
Are there people that you are responsible for that require you to be able to get to them from work efficiently?
Do you work from home, in which case amenity over location is more important?

Think about your relationships. Your family, your friends, social relationships, and your involvements, are all apart of this equation. For some, a Saturday afternoon includes volunteering at a homeless shelter, their sons’ soccer tournaments, a weekly hair appointment, dinner at a seafood restaurant, and a movie with the family. Still others are content on the couch in their sweats, an Ohio State jersey, a greasy pizza and a remote.

Do you find that your life’s social involvements tend to take place on one side of town than more than others?
Are you caring for family members?
Do you prefer living where the action is or in a more secluded environment?

Think about your educational needs. Maybe you are a graduate student at Ohio Dominican University and intend to stay in the city for a while longer. Maybe you have three small daughters and are planning for how their young minds will be developed. You could have a son on a football track to land a scholarship, which makes a competitive school the goal. Depending on the intensity of the studies or the extra-curricular activities, you may find that you tend to gravitate towards a certain area of town.

Do you have children or are you planning a family? Is there a particular educational path that is best executed in a particular school or district?
Is your child devoted to any significant extra-curricular education activities on particular side of the city?
Are you yourself in a particular educational program that requires you to be on a certain side of town frequently?

Think about your lifestyle. I bet you are the chic, artsy type that loves the energy near campus. No, wait! You love the coziness of Gahanna. Hmmmm... actually, you seem more like a... well, only you can define it I guess. Certain parts of Central Ohio host amazing seasonal festivals that bring communities together. Other parts are hoity-toity and wouldn’t dare be caught hosting anything of the sort, but have amazing early 20th century tudors. Still others can boast the local Walmart as its big “see and be seen” event, where barbecue and beer can be smelled in every direction.

What kind of things do you enjoy doing or would like to get more involved in?
Are you more of an adventure seeker, a remote clicker, a do-gooder, party hopper or a baby bottom wiper?
What side of town do your preferred or required activities tend to take place?

Comfort and Amenity

Now, take your imaginary camera and zoom into your vision of a home. Let's discuss some of the things about the house itself that are necessary to you and your family. There are a few factors that need to be considered. Things such as number of people in the household, style, health, bells and whistles and lifestyle, are all very important to most people because these things contribute to whether or not people feel comfortable in their spaces.

Think about the number of people in your home. You might be single, newly married or a family with 6 kids! Maybe there are just two of you now, but expect to grow a family pretty soon.

How many people will be living with you?
How many bedrooms do you think you and yours need to be comfortable?
Do you anticipate more or less people living with you in the near future?

Think about the style of house. For some, smaller spaces are cozier. Others like a nice open floor plan for family congregation and entertainment. Still others are into lots of windows and natural light, in a modern design. But then someone else may prefer an older house with charm, and lots of wood paneling. It really is up to you.

What kinds of layouts tend to make you feel happier?
Is there a certain amount of light or colors or textures in a design that you prefer?
What about the age of a home and the style considerations that come along with an older house?
Are you a new ager or more retro in your tastes?

Think about your family’s health. Though the goal is to remain as healthy and well as you possibly can, for as long as you can.  The truth is, illness is something most families will face. In some cases, someone in the home may require continuous care and the home has to be able to accommodate.

Do you need a home that has enough space and flow for health equipment and personal transport systems like, wheelchairs?
Is anyone in your family mentally or physically challenged and require certain accommodations for mobility, the tendency for emergencies, and developmental challenges?
Does your home need to be child friendly and safe to prevent accidents for tiny ones that tend to have lots of energy?

Think about the bells and whistles. These days, there are so many types of amenities that provide comfort and convenience. Some people are concerned with making sure that the house is tech capable, and can all be controlled with a phone app. Others are more concerned with comfort and relaxation. Maybe others care about the aesthetics and are in it for style only. What’s important to you?

Are there tools within a home that you find will make your life more convenient including technology, design layout, navigation, and entertainment?
Do you believe a home is a haven for relaxation? What areas of the home would you like to have those sorts of features available to you?
Is style the most important consideration for you?

Think about lifestyle. The way that you choose and/ or enjoy living your life requires deep consideration as it relates to the purchase of a home. From the people that you interact with, to your career, to your children’s activities, you need to know the kind of house that will support such a lifestyle.

Are you big into entertaining and require a certain type of kitchen, living area or outdoor space?
Do you need a lot of storage space to house the tools of your many activities such as sports, gardening, books, and work/ creative projects?
Are you a homebody that just wants available everything you need in an organized manner?
How much time will you spend at home? What’s important to you when you are home? What's important in a home when you are away?

The Next Step

Knowing your own personal needs in a home is a great first step to narrowing down the priorities for your purchase. However, the next step is obviously to find the right professional who understands the Columbus and Central Ohio real estate market. Theresa Cray has been a super star realtor for over 2 decades and has worked in just about every community in the city. Not only does she understand the programs available for first time home buyers and the great new build communities around town, she also has a streamlined process for getting you from hopeful buyer to qualified homeowner. She has solid relationships with lending institutions, insurance agents, contractors, landscapers, new build communities, and unique funding organizations. No need to go this process alone, or without the best kind of agent to have, one with diligence and commitment.

If you would like to speak with Theresa more about the process of buying the “right” home for you, fill out the form below. She will get back to you as soon as possible for an easy going conversation about your desires for homeownership. She will also offer a plan of action to get you from A to Z. We’ll also shoot you the link to our facebook page where Theresa is launching her “Ask Theresa” livestream every Wednesday at noon, and our monthly newsletter packed with awesome real estate tips and resources.