Most of us struggle to make ends meet, at some point in our lives. When that happens you have to act fast to avoid falling into debt. For some people, the answer could be to rent out their spare space. It could be your garage, space on your drive or, a spare room.
In many parts of the world, there is a high demand for housing and tourist accommodation. Often you can start earning an extra income within a few weeks of advertising the room. First, you must transform it into a desirable space. Below are some ideas to help you to do exactly that and do it fast…
Furnishing the room to a high standard
You really do want the room to look good in your listings photos. We are visual creatures, so are far more likely to want to rent a room that looks crisp, clean and modern than one that just has an old bed and dusty rug in it. Rooms that look like they have recently been refurbished rent out far faster and for much more money than one that looks like it is from another era.
Getting the decor right
Therefore, it is particularly important to get the decor right. The room needs to look clean and bright, but must not be too gaudy. If you are looking for a long-term client the best approach is to create a blank canvas on which they can leave their mark. So use neutral colours and avoid vivid patterns.
By far the fastest way to decorate a room is to paint it. Provided it is empty and there are two of you this task can easily be completed in a morning.
Easy lay flooring
It is also worth laying some new flooring. Laminate flooring is a great option. It is easy to lay, goes down fast, appeals to modern tastes and is quite durable. You can easily brighten things up by laying a rug or two. If you do decide to do this, make sure that the backing is the non-slip kind. Whilst updating the flooring for a really professional finish, consider adding a new skirting board. This isn’t too hard to do and this guide to cutting skirting boards is a great place to get started.
The right lighting
Because your tenant is likely to be spending quite a bit of time in their room you need to make sure that there is adequate lighting. In some cases, all you will need to do is to take down the existing fixtures, give them a good clean and put them back up again.
Take the photos
Once you have decorated, furnished and dressed the room it is really important to take some good photos. These days, people will not rent a room without seeing a video or photos of it first. Photographing a room requires a special skill set. However, you can quickly learn how to do it properly by clicking this link.