Accent Walls: Yay Or Nay?

VOLUME III

By Jasmine Ramirez

Imagine renters are moving into their new apartment. They walk into the living room to see a freshly painted accent wall. Maybe it’s a calming blue hue that immediately makes them feel at home and reaffirms that they made a great decision choosing this property to live in.

If done correctly, an accent wall is eye-catching. It’s modern. Most importantly, it’s memorable while they’re looking at multiple units that they could move into.

It’s also fairly budget friendly. Homeguide guesstimates paint jobs at $1-$3 per square foot, or $350–$850 per room. For one accent wall, that’s less than $200.

But what should landlords do if they’ve decided to create an accent wall in an empty unit, and the new tenant doesn’t like the color? A temporary fix like tempaper (peel-and-stick wallpaper) can resolve this quickly. But if the tenant really wants a full paint job, the landlord should first retain a color sample of the original wall color and then write in the lease whether the renter can have a paint “redo.”

The landlord may want to set ground rules for certain colors allowed ahead of time. A bright neon wall or black wall may be difficult to paint over. Tenants should provide the color code to the landlord for approval and a touch-up can if the landlord wants to keep this color.

Ideally, offering a (re)painting accent wall will help a tenant feel more like it’s a permanent home, which means the property owner would spend less time trying to find a new tenant and keep a reliable one who wants to stay for the long run.

If the tenant paints the wall but still decides to move out later, the wall may need to be repainted before a new tenant moves in—unless the next tenant likes it, too. This means the lease should also confirm whether the landlord will require the repainting of the wall to be the tenant’s responsibility when the lease comes to an end. It’s also wise to specify if a tenant can have accent walls in multiple rooms.

In the end, it’s up to the property owner to decide what’s best. The painting and repainting may not be worth it, and the tenant can personalize the place with furniture or paintings instead. The landlord may decide that accent walls are a branding decision for all of their properties, so people know it’s their property the minute they walk in the door.

Or, the landlord can pick and choose on a case-by-case basis for multi-units. Whatever decision is made, just make sure both parties are clear on the painting terms now and later.

Tips and Tricks to Handle Windowless Bathrooms

Residents may experience common problems in their windowless bathrooms. The usual challenges include poor lighting, mold, mildew, dampness, smells, peeling paint and bubbling wallpaper. Excess moisture and poor ventilation are the main causes of these issues, the results of which can lead to health issues and costly repairs. Use these tips and tricks to resolve them all.

The Ins and Outs of Working with Investors

While tenants of rental properties focus on factors such as property quality, location and monthly rent, investors may focus on one overarching factor: return on investment. Here’s what Realtors need to know about how investors generally decide whether they want to invest in rentals.

Rental Inspections: Don’t Wait Until Move-Outs Only

Move-in/move-out inspection and periodic inspections are important aspects of managing a rental property. By better understanding what to look for during inspections and how often to schedule them, it is possible for landlords to avoid common mistakes.

Creating a Go-To Contractor List

Agreeing to a contractual relationship, such as a service maintenance agreement, with a vendor could significantly speed up any frantic searches—especially during emergencies and late-night hours.

Navigating Out-of-State Rental Properties

Today’s housing market is a bit of a seesaw. In 2022, the Federal Reserve hiked its benchmark interest rate six times. Higher interest rates mean loans are more expensive for consumers. But no matter what happens with inflation, people need a place to live. This is leading property owners to look for a means of disposable income. And sometimes the real estate investor may choose a property from another state.

Repairs: Who Pays for What?

For a landlord, a rental property is an uphill battle against mishaps, calamities, the hands of time and sometimes nature itself. To guard their investment, property owners must plan ahead, maneuver tactfully and sometimes be prepared to cut their losses.

Quick Take · Jan 12, 2022

Can Pet-Friendly Homes Bring Better Tenants?

“Do you have a pet-friendly policy?” It’s a common question that landlords receive before attempting to rent a single-family home.