PROPERTY TURNS
Whether you have just a few days or several weeks, HD Supply can help you maximize the time you have to complete turns and minimize the loss of revenue. Follow the timeline below and download our Turns Checklist to help you plan, organize, and budget for property turns.
Make The Most Of The Time You Have For Unit Turns
1-2 Days: Refresh
For quick turnarounds, focus on the small details and save major improvements for when you have more time. Think light cleaning, paint touch-ups, bulb and lock replacements, and new batteries in smoke detectors and thermostats.
1 Week: Repair
A week should provide enough time for light repairs. Patch holes in walls and doors, fix leaky faucets and toilets, adjust wobbly ceiling fans, and add a fresh coat of paint to common areas like stairwells, hallways, and lobbies.
1-4 Weeks: Replace
The best time to replace appliances, faucets, lighting, ceiling fans, water heaters, and smoke alarms is in between residents when the units are vacant and easier to work in.
4+ Weeks: Renovate
Empty units may cost you in the short term, but when renovations are complete, you may be able to increase occupancy rates and charge higher monthly rent.
Turns By Room
Kitchens
The kitchen is the workhorse of any home and will likely get extra attention from those thinking about renting from you. Depending on your timeframe and budget, consider updating cabinet hardware, replacing countertops, and adding new, energy-efficient appliances.
- 1-2 Days: Refresh
- 1 Week: Repair
- 1-4 Weeks: Replace
- 4+ Weeks: Renovate
Replace damaged or missing cabinet doors, door hardware, wall outlets, and flooring. Kitchens endure a lot of wear and tear from tenants who bang cupboard doors, small children breaking components, and messes that never get thoroughly cleaned up. You could say that the kitchen is usually the messiest room in the house. That means that in between tenants, you should always replace and repair items so that damage never turns into a serious problem. Take the time to replace all damaged cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and drawer boxes. Repair shelving and thoroughly clean every inch of the kitchen. Patch and paint the walls, clean the blinds and windows, and replace hardware or other elements that are old or broken. Clean out light fixtures and replace light bulbs. Consider upgrading to LED bulbs for excellent efficiency. Before handing over the keys, make sure the kitchen is completely clean and fresh-looking, feeling, and smelling. Your new tenants will love the clean kitchen.
Stock up on common parts for ranges and refrigerators for quick repairs. If you have a week for repairs in between tenants, you can do a whole lot more to keep your property up-to-date. Make a space in your own house or garage for replacement parts for your property, including common parts for stove ranges, refrigerators, and dishwashers. Check all appliances in the kitchen and replace parts as needed. Arrange for a plumber and electrician to come in during the week the property is empty to check in and replace components that are old or broken. Replace broken cupboard fronts, drawer fronts and boxes, and problematic hardware. Update the sink faucet and repair the sink, as needed. Repair light fixtures, replace broken outlet and light switch covers, and repair blinds or window coverings. Patch and paint the walls and replace light bulbs with LED bulbs. Clean everything from top to bottom and admire the clean, updated space!
Update kitchens with new appliances, disposers, and faucets to get higher rents. When you have up to a month for repairs in between tenants, you can transform the space into a modern, attractive kitchen that will command a higher rental fee. Replace appliances with newer, higher quality, and more efficient appliances. Replace the garbage disposal in the sink and check on the plumbing while you're at it. Replace the sink faucet and maybe even the sink itself, if it needs updating. Repair or replace cupboard fronts, drawer fronts and boxes, and hardware. Update the light fixtures and install LED bulbs for ultra-efficient lighting. Patch and paint the walls, replace the light switch and outlet covers, and replace the blinds or window coverings. Check everything to ensure nothing is broken or outdated. Clean the kitchen from top to bottom. Then enjoy the delight of the new tenant's comments about the wonderful kitchen!
Renovations can attract new residents and increase rents. Our Property Improvement team can help. Old, outdated kitchens can be a deal breaker for new tenants. They can also attract the kind of tenants you don't want and they reduce the amount you can ask for in rent. Once a kitchen is looking old, it's time to give yourself a month or more to renovate the space so it will be modern and attractive once again. Assess the style of the kitchen to determine what is not working with the space and what is fine to leave alone. You may need to replace all the cupboards and cabinets, or you might simply need to refinish or repaint them. If the kitchen has an awkward space, call in an expert to help you decide how to rearrange it so that the space flows nicely. Replace outdated windows, blinds, light fixtures, the sink and faucet, the disposal, and flooring. Update the appliances for maximum efficiency and a modern look. Update the colors in the room and give the walls a nice, bright coat of paint. Once the kitchen is new looking, modern feeling, and gives the impression that the property is newer than it is, tenants will be in a hurry to live there. Your property value will go up and you'll be able to charge higher rental fees. Win-win all around!
Bedrooms
Because residents can spend up to a third of the day there, bedrooms may need more TLC than other spaces. In high-use areas like this, cleanliness, paint, outlet covers, and door locks go a long way to making bedrooms look new again.
- 1-2 Days: Refresh
- 1 Week: Repair
- 1-4 Weeks: Replace
- 4+ Weeks: Renovate
Refresh bedrooms by cleaning carpets, updating door hardware, and changing light bulbs. If you've got a short turnaround time, focus on the most important parts of sprucing up the bedrooms. Do an overall review of the room, ensuring that it has a generally clean appearance. Then work on scrubbing the carpets so they smell and look clean, especially if your previous tenants had pets. If there is wood or tile in the room, give it a good sweep and mop. Consider using an anti-bacterial or wood-conditioning cleaner. Burned-out light bulbs can be a turnoff for new tenants, so take the time to replace them. Consider upgrading to ultra-efficient LED bulbs while you're at it and wipe out the light fixtures to remove dead bugs and accumulated dirt and dust. Do some basic dusting throughout the room, closet, and windowsills. Give the room a final look to ensure it has a clean appearance. This will ensure that the new tenants keep it that way during the duration of their lease.
Repair closet rods and racks, door fixtures, walls, and blinds. When you have a little more time to work on a property, you can focus on more detailed projects. This means doing more than just carpet cleaning, dusting, and replacing light bulbs. Accomplish all of the refresh tasks from above after you've done some upgrading and replacing. First, check the bedroom closets for broken elements. Make a list of the items that are broken or outdated that need to be replaced. Take a look at the closet rods, racks, and shelves. Test the door fixtures to make sure everything works properly and write down what doesn't. Make note of holes and dirty sections of the walls. Check out the blinds to see if they need to be fixed. Order all of the parts you will need for repairs and plan to spend a few hours per bedroom. Once everything is repaired, clean the entire room including the carpets. The bedroom should look almost as good as new.
Update bedrooms with new ceiling fans, blinds, and flooring. When you're ready to get serious about improving your rental property, it's time to do some upgrades. Every few years, it's a good idea to give the property a short break from tenants so you can spend a few weeks updating everything. First, assess the damage to the bedroom. Decide if damaged items need to be repaired or replaced. Make all necessary repairs, patching up holes in walls, and replacing light bulbs. Then put a fresh coat of paint on the walls throughout the room. Replace all blinds in the room and thoroughly wash windows. Update bedroom fixtures by installing a new light and ceiling fan, and replacing any other lighting features. Rip up the old carpet and replace with brand new, plush carpeting. For hard floors, consider updating the tile or refinishing the wood floors. Clean up the room, wiping up any remaining messes. Then sweep and mop or vacuum floors. The bedroom should feel like a completely new space.
Renovations can attract new residents and increase rents. Our Property Improvement team can help. If your property was built several decades ago, it's likely that it is starting to look pretty out of date. Once this occurs, you won't be able to charge as much monthly rent as you could if it were updated. It's time to do some major renovations to make your property stand out as an appealing option to prospective tenants once again. You might need to add a bathroom to your master bedroom to create an attractive master suite. Increase the size of the bedroom for a luxurious feel or to even out a strange bedroom shape. Or you could increase the size of the closet, creating an appealing walk-in closet that tenants will appreciate. Install new windows to increase efficiency and curb appeal. Install exterior french doors that lead out to a balcony or bedroom deck with a view. Replace baseboards, remove old popcorn ceiling material, and add touches like wainscoting for a high-end feel. Once renovations are complete, install quality new carpeting, tile, or hardwood floors. Give everything a clean coat of paint. Then install finishing touches that bring the room together. You'll secure long-term tenants in no time.
Bathrooms
Renters often base their initial impressions of a unit on the bathroom alone. Refreshing grout and adding leak-proof caulk around the sink and tub may seem less important than a shiny new vanity, but don't discount these inexpensive fixes. Potential residents will notice and appreciate clean, well-maintained bathrooms.
- 1-2 Days: Refresh
- 1 Week: Repair
- 1-4 Weeks: Replace
- 4+ Weeks: Renovate
Refresh bathrooms with updated bath hardware, new toilets, and a thorough cleaning. When you only have a day or two to refresh your bathroom before the new tenants show up, it can be tricky to get it all done in time. There are a few projects you can do in a short amount of time that will make the room look clean and updated, plus set a standard for how the new tenants should maintain the space. First, replace the bath and sink hardware for a new, shiny look. Then, replace the toilet seat. Finally, do a thorough deep-clean that eliminates any hard water residue, mildew, and stains. Replace light bulbs and consider upgrading to efficient LED bulbs. Clean out light fixtures to remove dead bugs, dust, and dirt. Then give everything a final wipedown to make sure the room is shiny, clean, and smells great. Your new tenants will be impressed and more likely to keep the bathroom in tip-top shape.
Avoid expensive bathroom repairs by prepping bathrooms and plumbing. If you have a whole week in between tenants, take advantage of the time by doing necessary updates and repairs. You'll save money in the long run by bringing in a plumber to fix leaks and other issues before they turn into serious problems. Sometimes tenants don't tell their landlords when there's a minor leak, which can be disastrous down the road. Make sure you keep up on your property's plumbing with regular maintenance and repairs. Have your trusted plumber come in after the previous tenants are gone and look through all the bathroom plumbing. He or she will point out elements that are starting to wear and tell you what will need to be replaced soon. If something is due for replacement in the next year, just go ahead and get it done while you've got an empty house. Better safe than sorry. After the plumbing, and perhaps even electrical, are updated, quickly update the bathroom with new hardware, toilet seats, and scrub the whole room down. You can rest easy knowing that your new tenants are set up for success.
New flooring, lighting, and bath vanities are quick ways to update older bathrooms. When you have up to a month for updates, you can do a lot more to your property's bathrooms. Tenants spend a lot of time in and out of bathrooms on a daily basis, and certain features are considered must-haves for quality renters. If your bathroom is starting to look a little out-of-date or the set-up has always been a bit awkward, it's time to get it right. Install a new vanity and sink, with quality and useful storage shelving. Replace old medicine cabinets with higher quality options and shelving to make the bathroom super effective. Replace the sink, bathtub or shower faucets and replace the toilet seat. New paint throughout the bathroom will help give it a brighter feel. Replace old flooring with updated tile to give the room a modern look. Don't forget to update the light fixtures and install natural light bulbs to make the room come alive. Your new tenants will be thrilled with the bathrooms in your rental.
Renovations can attract new residents and increase rents. Our Property Improvement team can help. When properties have small, dark, oddly-shaped bathrooms, the entire home becomes less appealing to prospective tenants. If this is your situation and you have a month or more in between tenants, use that time to your advantage to turn the bathroom into a feature of the house. For small bathrooms, find a way to renovate the space so it is bigger and better shaped. If possible, install a window to give the room a softer, lighter feel. Replace the old bathtub with a modern tub with more depth and quality features. Alternatively, do away with the bathtub altogether and replace it with a modern walk-around tile shower. Or install both, if there's enough space! Tear out the old, cheaply made vanity, then install quality shelving and granite or marble countertops. Replace the lighting with modern, efficient fixtures and install natural light bulbs or upgrade to LED bulbs. Clean up the space and admire your new room that instantly increases your rental value.
Living & Dining Rooms
The living room likely will be the first area apartment hunters experience when they tour a unit. Make sure all holes are patched and the carpet is professionally cleaned before an inspection. A little goes a long way in making prospective residents feel like they could make your neat and tidy space their home.
- 1-2 Days: Refresh
- 1 Week: Repair
- 1-4 Weeks: Replace
- 4+ Weeks: Renovate
For a property that's turning quickly, you'll need to get in and make the living room look good as new - as quickly as possible. Without a lot of time, focus on the most important and noticeable features of the room to give it a good refresh. If you're short on time, focus on the most important and noticeable features of the room to give them a good refresh. Patch up holes in the walls and clean up dirt and dust. Then give the room a fresh coat of bright paint to breathe new life into the space. Consider repainting wooden windowsills and trims to make everything look extra clean and bright. Then deep-clean the carpets, especially if the previous tenants had pets. If the flooring is tile or wood, clean it thoroughly with an antibacterial cleaner and/or wood floor cleaner. Replace burned-out light bulbs and consider upgrading to ultra-efficient LED bulbs. Clean out light fixtures to remove dead bugs, dirt, and dust. Give everything one final wipedown to ensure that the room looks and smells very clean.
Check windows, blinds, and ceiling fans for broken or missing parts. If you have a whole week in between tenants, use it to your advantage to keep up with minor repairs in the living room. Go through each element of the room, checking for broken parts and dirty pieces that need to be replaced. Make sure the windows open, shut, lock, and unlock easily. Replace any window components that aren't functioning correctly. Check the blinds, clean them, and replace pieces that have broken. Thoroughly clean the ceiling fans and lighting fixtures, checking for broken parts and replacing as needed. Test the sliding glass doors or exterior french doors to make sure everything works great, is safe, and is clean. Wipe down all parts of the room, patch and paint the walls, then clean the flooring thoroughly. Replace light switch and outlet covers, as needed. Double check your work to make sure the room looks, feels, and smells clean before turning it over to new tenants.
Replace outdated lighting, blinds, and flooring. When you've got a few weeks to work on your property before handing the keys over to the new tenants, you can do a lot to update and invest in your property. Everything begins to look outdated after a few years and it's in your best interest to keep your property as up-to-date as possible. When the property is first empty, go through the living room and make a list of everything you'd like to clean and replace. For a truly updated look, replace as many features of the room as you can. Tear out the old blinds and replace them with quality blinds that can handle daily use by adults and children. Then install updated lighting and ceiling fans, outfitting them with natural light bulbs and even LED bulbs for maximum efficiency. Tear out the old carpeting or tile and replace it with new, quality flooring. If the room has wood flooring, refinish it for a new look and seal it for maximum longevity. Patch and paint the walls, double check everything for function and look, then clean everything up to reveal a new, updated room ready for thrilled tenants.
Renovations can attract new residents and increase rents. Our Property Improvement team can help. Most properties start to look out of date after a couple decades. If you've got a month or more to work on updates, take the time to make your property's living room a modern sanctuary instead of just another room. You'll immediately increase the value of your property and attract the kind of tenants that will take good care of your house. If the living room is the equivalent of a small box, it's time to give it a more open, expansive feel. Install exterior french doors, if the space will allow for it, to bring in maximum light and access to the outdoors. Replace all the windows and consider installing at least one larger window, especially if there's a view to enjoy outside. Consider removing or renovating a wall or two to create an open concept in the house. Install modern light fixtures, replace blinds, and replace all broken elements in the room. Give it a new coat of paint and replace the flooring. Consider installing a modern built-in with feature shelves, a gas fireplace, and/or space for technology and entertainment. Once your living room is fully modern and updated, your new tenants will be your best yet!
Entryway, Patio & Balcony
Safety will likely be a top priority for any prospect visiting your property. Ensure that each entryway is brightly lit and exterior doors have secure locks that have been re-keyed. This additional expense will be well worth it, since most people will not rent in a community where they feel uneasy or unsafe.
- 1-2 Days: Refresh
- 1 Week: Repair
- 1-4 Weeks: Replace
- 4+ Weeks: Renovate
Brighten entryways and patios with LED lighting, and remember to re-key locks. The impression a prospect gets when they first walk in the front door will color how they see the rest of the unit, so make sure to not neglect this part of the unit in between tenants. Clean the windows and blinds thoroughly, and scrub out all corners of the entryway. Wash down the front door and hardware, both front and back. Clean the patio, trimming hedges and other plants that are overgrown. Install LED lighting inside the entryway and solar LED lights along the pathway leading to the entryway. Clean light fixtures inside and outside and replace broken bulbs. Don't forget to re-key the locks for safety. Patch and paint the walls, giving the space an overall clean, fresh look. Your new tenants will be impressed as they walk in the front door.
Repair broken light fixtures, cracked paint, and torn screens. When you have a whole week to work on updating your property, pay more attention to the entryway. Clean the whole space thoroughly, both inside and outside. Clean the windows and blinds, and replace torn window screens. Clean light fixtures and replace broken parts. Install LED light bulbs for extra efficiency. Patch and paint the walls of the entryway and check the exterior paint right outside the door. Do some exterior spot painting to freshen up the look. Repair outdoor lights and install walkway solar LED lights for better night visibility and safety. Rekey the exterior door locks for safety, as well. Clean the entryway carpets, tile, or wood flooring thoroughly. Replace any broken components and give the whole space another wipe down. Prospective tenants will think it's a newly remodeled space!
When time permits, replace worn and outdated fixtures, doors, and flooring. Entryways can put up with a lot of wear and tear over the years, as snow, rain, and mud get tracked inside. Every few years, it's time to do a more extensive update to make sure the space is cared for and will continue to last for years to come. Updated spaces attract more tenants and command higher rental fees, as well. First, take note of the fixtures that are outdated and/or worn. Purchase modern replacements and install them in the space. Replace the flooring with clean, updated options that are good for high traffic areas. Make sure the floor is really easy for tenants to keep clean. Patch and paint the walls, replace worn windows and screens, and update light fixtures. Install new blinds and rekey the locks on the door. Make sure the door is up-to-date and replace components that are worn. Give the entire space a thorough clean, inside and outside. Your property value will increase and your new tenants will be impressed with the modern entry.
Renovations can attract new residents and increase rents. Our Property Improvement team can help. With all the wear and tear that entryways endure over the years, it becomes an important space to update regularly. First impressions matter and a grand entryway might be what your ideal tenant is looking for. Start by deciding how you could improve the space. Increase the size of the entryway, if possible. Install windows that bring in plenty of natural light and are aesthetically pleasing. Replace the front door with something more modern and add sidelights or other features to really bring attention to the door. Replace light fixtures with high-end, modern fixtures and install LED bulbs. Consider adding a built-in or storage space to make the entryway more functional and organized. Update the wall texture, patch holes, and give the whole space a fresh coat of paint. Add solar LED lights along the pathway outside for better night visibility. Add other finishing touches that will make the space feel fresh and modern. You will instantly be able to charge more for rent and have tenants that are thrilled to live in the space for a long time.
General Maintenance
Most of the work that needs to be done for turns can be done faster and more economically if you have the right tools and general maintenance supplies on hand. Keeping ample spackling, paint, cleaning products, and LED bulbs on site will prepare you for more efficient and cost-effective turns.
- 1-2 Days: Refresh
- 1 Week: Repair
- 1-4 Weeks: Replace
- 4+ Weeks: Renovate
Stock up on cleaning supplies and change batteries in smoke detectors and thermostats. When time is short and your list is long, it helps to have all the right maintenance supplies in your shop. Stock up on essentials and be ready for turns year-round. Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms have fresh batteries. Use carpet cleaner to remove spots and stains from carpeted areas. Change air filters in units. Keep a supply of all-purpose cleaners and janitorial supplies on hand so you can give kitchens, bathrooms, appliances, and flooring a good clean while turning units. Touch up paint and make small patch repairs.
Repair and update common areas, including stairwells, hallways, and lobbies.
The best time to replace water heaters, smoke alarms, and electrical components in between tenants.
Renovations can attract new residents and increase rents. Our Property Improvement team can help.
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UNIT RENOVATION SUPPORT & SOLUTIONS
