5 Ways to Make Your Rental Feel Like a Home

Decorating can often feel intimidating for many renters and the knowledge that your rental is sometimes a temporary home can discourage many from investing in making the space their own. These decorating tips can help spruce up your place to give it the aesthetic you’ve always dreamed of!

1. Consider Adding More Lighting

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Overhead lighting is not always the most comfortable light source. If your rental doesn’t get much natural light, we would recommend purchasing a few table and floor lamps. Not only does this allow you to add a personal touch to a room, but you are also able to control how much light you would like  throughout the day. Be sure to check out your local Goodwill for some affordable and unique lamps!

2. Roll Out a Rug

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Rugs can make a huge difference in your home decoration and we highly recommend investing in one or two for your space! While a large area rug can be a big investment, there are many of affordable smaller options that will still add a lot of personality to a room. Whether you want to bring warmth to cold laminate flooring or cover up an older carpet, they are an easy addition to make to your rental.

3. Versatile Furniture

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Furniture is often the most expensive investment you’ll make in terms of decorating your home. It may seem overwhelming when you walk into your new unfurnished apartment, but remember that you can build up pieces slowly. If you’re shopping on a budget, try keeping an eye on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp. We recommend looking for pieces that are flexible and will fit in well at any future homes you may live in. Also look for pieces that have an extra storage feature as this can be a game-changer in a small apartment!

4. Adding a Pop of Green

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If you want a more natural feel in your home you should opt for various houseplants. Plants can really change the overall aesthetic of your place and make your home feel more cozy. Some plants that we recommend for beginners are various succulents as they are easy to care for and very affordable. If you’re worried about the care plants can take, consider repotting several artificial plants in larger planters. By adding a few inches of soil to the top of the pot, you can make them look like the real deal and not need to worry about typical plant care.

5. Show Off Your Artistic Tastes

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Hanging up artwork is one of the easiest ways to make a place feel lived-in. Affordable artwork can be found at thrift stores or places like Target and Amazon and if your style leans more eclectic, try collecting postcards from different places you visit for a unique gallery wall. Be sure to check your lease before creating any holes and if you need a damage-free hanging option, we recommend Command Strips.

 

Decorating a rental may not seem like a wise investment to some, but making the space your own can truly bring some peace and comfort into your life. What are some of your favorite decorating tips? Leave them in the comments below!

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Rental demand heats up in Puyallup, WA area

As with many areas in the United States, rental demand continues to climb in the Puyallup, WA area. The latest data from the Federal Reserve suggests that now is a great time to be a property owner since during the last three months of 2015 property owner’s rental income added up to about 4.3 percent of the U.S. national income. Meanwhile, key takeaways from the “Emerging Trends in Real Estate” report published by the Urban Land Institute and pwc has us looking forward to successful investments for properly managed rental assets.

What the analysts are saying

(You can download and read the full report here):

• Prospects for the multifamily rental sector still rank “well” for 2016.
• Due to the size of generation Y, demand for both rentals and ownership housing is poised to expand.
• Investment strategy for single-family home rentals is changing from the “flip” strategy to becoming operating businesses, as more people opt to rent by choice rather than necessity.
• Investment prospects for single-family homes rank “fair” for 2016
• Some older home renters are opting for luxury rentals.
• Domestic and global capital continues to flow into the U.S. real estate market.
• “The industry is trending toward more intensively active management…”
• Interest rates will continue to rise.
• “The Supreme Court has affirmed that local communities can take legal action to address disparities in housing, even if they are the unintentional result of actions rather than conscious discrimination.”

Why Puyallup, WA?

• More and more renters are choosing Tacoma, Puyallup and nearby towns over Seattle, Washington.
• Construction of new rental properties has not been able to keep up with the amount of renters moving to the area.
• Millennial populations tend to rent for longer periods than did their parent and they add to the overall rental demand.

What if my rental is vacant?

Selecting the right tenant for your rental is a critical first step toward maintaining the value of your investment property. Qualified reliable tenants play a significant role in protecting against undue deterioration.

If your rental has been on the market for a significant amount of time, consider talking with All County Evergreen Property Management about what changes can be made to decrease the amount of time it takes to find a qualified tenant. While every situation varies, there is a short list of frequently cited improvements that can often lead to more rental applications.

• Give it some curb appeal. Spruce up the yard or to trim the trees and bushes. A freshly power washed driveway can also make a big difference.
• Clean the carpets. A professionally steamed and shampooed carpet can make a rental feel like new again!
• Add some paint. A little bit of outdoor and interior paint can go a long way.
• Price it right! If your rental is drawing in the kinds of applicants that you are looking for, talk with your property manager to ensure that the asking monthly price is competitive and compares to other similar properties in your area and that are relatively the same age.

All County Evergreen Property Management can help you get your property rent ready and help you take advantage of the Puyallup, WA area rental market. Call now to learn more about our annual management services and how our professional property managers can make a big difference to your bottom line.

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Your Puyallup, Washington lease agreement matters!

It is important to be aware of changes to real property law and contract law. Perhaps what is more valuable is to have a lease reviewed by a lawyer who specializes in landlord/tenant law. Our management professionals always make use of a carefully worded Puyallup, Washington lease agreement that has been reviewed by an attorney.

Recently, major changes have been made to landlord/tenant law in places like California, Wisconsin and other parts of the country, which has social media all abuzz. In an effort to equalize the position of property owners and their tenants, landlord/tenant law is constantly evolving and landlord’s rights and landlord’s responsibilities in Puyallup and elsewhere are constantly changing. For instance, prior to March of 2015 landlords in Wisconsin were obligated to make arrangements for storage of any personal property that belonged to an evicted tenant. To fulfill such an obligation, landlords in that area needed to notify the sheriff’s department, hire a bonded mover, and give notice to the evicted tenant. The revised law now allows a landlord to presume that property left behind and to deem it abandoned. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, and this is just one example of how estate law can and has evolved in places around the country.

The lessons that we can take from trending news topics like those out of Wisconsin make it clear that your property manager’s role goes way beyond simply filling unoccupied space. At All County Evergreen Property Management, we can proudly say that our expertise in tenant placement, lease execution and lease enforcement will help to protect your property investments for years to come.

In order to keep in line with the ever changing rules, we regularly update the Washington lease agreement. A well written lease allows All County Evergreen Property Management to enforce lease requirements, and in the case of an escalated issue, a well written lease could mean the difference between winning or losing a court case. Our leases are well written and tenants’ responsibilities are clearly defined. Puyallup, Washington property owners can entrust All County Evergreen to safeguard your property investment and allow you peace of mind!

A Great Day In Tacoma Property Management

Our Doors Are Open To Property Owners And Tenants

All County® Evergreen Property Management is now open and serving the Tacoma, Washington area. We’re so proud of all we have accomplished in the past week in preparing our office for its big opening. There were plenty of pieces to put in place so that we could provide our owners and tenants with great service, but we’re happy to announce we’ve opened our doors to Tacoma area residents. It’s an exciting time for us here at All County® Evergreen.

Our First Staff Member Joins The Evergreen Team

We also hired our first employee this week; so, a big welcome to Jennie Brons our Office Administrator. Doug and I first met Jennie about a year ago and we were very excited that she applied for the position. While we had some great candidates, ultimately we chose Jennie because we knew she was someone we could count on to help us run our office efficiently. Jennie has a great personality when it comes to customer service and is always a ray of sunshine. We’re confident our property investors and tenants will enjoy working with her as much as we do. She’ll be great at helping the Tacoma area community find property management solutions.