Furnishing as the key to selling a rental apartment: what to base it on?
A rental apartment is not just four walls and a roof, but a home where the tenant wants to feel comfortable. ELUM real estate agent Kristi Djomin shares recommendations on how to increase the value of the apartment and find good tenants with the help of well-thought-out furnishing.
According to the realtor, there are many objects on the real estate market that do not need new interior elements, and to simplify the transaction, it is enough to update the walls with white paint. At the same time, she definitely advised to refrain from buying unnecessary items in the hope that they will increase the value of the rental property. “When furnishing a rental apartment, the rule of thumb is “less is more”. It is not worth buying together things that do not fit together and do not create added value. You often invest in furniture, but it may not always pay off.”
How to furnish a rental apartment wisely?
According to Djomin, when furnishing a rental apartment, a lot depends on whether it is a secondary market offer or a new apartment. “In the case of older apartments, it is often more reasonable to remove redundant and tired furniture and offer an empty and clean apartment. If possible, it is worth purchasing high-quality and durable furniture instead, which in turn increases the value of the apartment. Old items can start to interfere with the purchase decision, even if they are actually easy to remove and the value of the apartment is still decent,” she said.
However, old items are not always a bad idea. The growing trend of the last few years lies in recycling, which allows you to save money and find unique interior elements at the same time. “It is a sustainable approach in every way, but the objects of the second round must be restored and adapted to modern times so that they fit into the overall picture of the interior”.
In the eyes of the realtor, the necessity of involving an interior design expert depends primarily on how much the owner has the interior designer’s talent. “If there are doubts, it is worth first consulting with a realtor who knows how to assess the need. But one thing is certain – hiring an interior designer won’t hurt. It is often also mentioned in the sales ad that the apartment has been furnished by an interior designer – this definitely gives a strong added value.”
What factors can play a role in the choice of interior design?
According to the real estate agent, several different factors come into play when making interior design choices. “If an apartment is purchased with the intention of renting it out, it is worth considering the tenant’s lifestyle and general endurance when furnishing it. This way you avoid the constant need to repair or replace things. Think about your own needs and furnish the apartment accordingly! It is possible to save quite a lot of money due to decisions made on the spur of the moment and emotions.”
Well-thought-out and high-quality furnishing undoubtedly increase the value of the rental apartment. However, wrongly chosen furniture can turn an expensive apartment into a cheap one. “Comfort is an important keyword when it comes to interior design. It can be things that a person could not possibly want, but which will definitely increase the value of the apartment. In the case of a rental apartment, it is definitely important that it is immediately offered fully furnished, because that way the potential tenant can get a better overview and rarely come to the rental property with their own furniture.”
In the case of smaller apartments, however, Djomin reminds of smart furnishing as an argument for purchase. A simple example: to make use of all the surfaces under the bed and sofa and to find wardrobe space to store things. In the same way, it is important to ensure the availability of a washing machine with a dryer, because there is no better way to dry laundry in an apartment with limited space.”
Which rental apartments spike the most interest?
“Homes with unique solutions and full of light disappear from the real estate market quickly, apartments in panel houses with older furnishings tend to disappear more slowly. There is also a lot of interest in, for example, four-room apartments – they can generally be on the market for a very short time. Broadly speaking, it can be said that there is a clearly higher demand for apartments that have been created as one’s own home, not as a rental apartment. In other words: furnish the apartment in such a way that you would like to live there yourself.”
According to the real estate agent, it is generally wiser to go the easier and more practical way, choosing items for the apartment that appeal to a larger consumer base. “Many are looking for a neutral home that they can change as they wish. Colorful wallpaper, antiques or gloomy furnishings can frighten an interested party, and in the case of too much personality, it can be more difficult to find a suitable tenant.”
After all, it is still up to the owner to decide how to furnish the apartment, the realtor can give useful advice on this journey. “It is certainly not possible to extend standard recommendations to all apartments. Every home is unique! However, it is equally certain that the client’s eye is king. Life has shown that small details and well-chosen furnishing elements are often enough to arouse the interest of tenants,” stated Djomin.
Read more: 6 tips to help increase the value of real estate
Read more: How to rent out an apartment? Get your apartment ready
