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Your complete source for information about the LBI real estate marketplace since 1983
(formerly Coldwell Banker Sand Dollar Real Estate)
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This information below will be updated to coincide with what we think should be addressed at that particular time of the year. These ideas and suggestions should help you more easily manage your rental property, keep it in good shape and be in its best condition for your summer guests. Fall Your Autumn 'To Do' List ü Time to give your property a deep-clean. Consists of routine cleaning tasks, along with shampooing the carpets, steam cleaning the sofa and vacuuming the refrigerator coils to just name a few of the items. Better to thoroughly clean spots and stains now rather than let them sit over the winter. ü Trim your bushes and trees and perform a general clean up of the outside. Tenants will be visiting in the winter and your outside should look well kept. ü Store away summer furniture, outdoor décor after a through washing, salt air is a killer. You will get longer wear if protected and cleaned each year. ü Update your décor. Now you have time to shop the sales and be on the lookout for new curtains or throw pillow, placemats, or maybe a new shower curtain. Inexpensive items but give a new look. ü Check out big ticket appliances if yours are nearly the end of their useful life. You will pay less when you plan the purchase to time a sale than trying to purchase at the height of the summer season. ü Before the first freeze winterize your property by properly shutting down all systems. NOTE: Due to the economy, we noticed owners stalled some major purchases & maintenance. In the end, owners paid higher prices and because of delayed deliveries tenants asked for rebates for loss of use and inconvenience. We highly recommend you replace/repair in the off season. You will avoid higher costs and minimize the aggravation for you and your tenant and perhaps keep the very important ‘repeat tenant’. CLOSING YOUR SUMMER HOME Clean out the Kitchen - Thoroughly clean out and wipe down the refrigerator and unplug. Also leave the doors propped open slightly to avoid mildew and mold growth. Clean out cabinets of any perishable foods. Clean all other large and small appliances and unplug. Great time to clean the oven for next year while the temperatures are cooler. Please do not leave moth balls around. Prospective tenants have walked out before looking as the smell coming in the door was overwhelming. Clean out the Living Room and Bedrooms. Wash bed spreads, curtains and any other linens or rugs left in the home. Extra items should be stored away, bedding put back on beds to show the home off to its best. Remove Fire Hazards - Remove all papers, newspapers, old rags and chemicals from your property. Make sure all small electric items are unplugged. Secure Outside Furniture - Gather up all outside furniture and clean it before you put it away. If left outside secure it and cover it. Remove any debris or items, such as trash cans that could blow around during the winter that could damage your home. Protect your grill with a good cleaning and then cover or take in. Remove Clutter - As the summer season progresses so do the collection of odds and ends. Whether shells, 10 of the same restaurants menus, please de-clutter the home. Drain the House - Make sure all plumbing pipes have been drained properly and water is shut off before leaving the home. All appliances should also be properly drained and winterized. This job might be best left to a professional plumber. HIGH VALUE ITEMS FOR YOUR SUMMER RENTAL PROPERTY
Below is a list of items that we find our LBI tenants are requesting more and more. You may not be able to do all of these but maybe a few each year can be added or replace with when older items wear out. These are not necessarily expensive items but may be just makes your property chosen over others. These items should be new or in excellent condition; Baby gear such as; booster seat, portable crib with mesh sides, bicycles & tire pump, DVD/VCR/CD players, stereo with IPOD dock, TV's in all rooms - flat screen in living room and master bedroom, wireless high speed Internet, answering machine, printer/fax machine, ping pong table, beach gear, beach badges (not guaranteed) upgraded cable channels, newer gas BBQ with extra propane tanks, air conditioning, comfortable outdoor furniture, outdoor entertainment area, book & video library, game controller and games.
If you have larger home don't skimp in the kitchen - you will need larger and more of everything. A few spices, salt & pepper, specialty appliances - wide slot toaster, blender, waffle maker, espresso maker, lobster pot. Not sure if your home is up to par or not, ask for our FREE Rental Review. We will take a look and make inexpensive suggestions and review your pricing too!
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