Now is the time to ensure that your beach house rental property is ready for seasonal guests. There are four areas you should address to prepare your property for warm weather guests:
Roof & Gutters
Whether it’s asphalt, clay, or concrete, your roof is your home’s first line of defense against water damage. If your roof is coated with dark streaks and stains, you have an algae problem. Moss isn’t merely an aesthetic concern – it can cause asphalt shingles to curl, lift, and blow off during high winds. Eliminate moss and algae by using a garden sprayer to coat your roof in a 50/50 solution of water and bleach, then rinse it off after 15 minutes. Protect any vegetation beneath the roof by wetting it down, or by covering your plants. Avoid scrubbing or pressure washing, since aggressive cleaning can damage shingles. Clear any leaves and other debris from gutters and downspouts, and inspect the roof for any damage. A handyman can easily repair a few shingles, but for more extensive damage you’ll need to hire a roofer.
Floors & Windows
Steam clean your carpeting, and clean and seal tile and grout in your kitchen and bathroom. This is the perfect opportunity to replace any worn or damaged flooring, before you have to deal with summertime foot traffic. Consider ceramic tile for your kitchen and bathroom. Tile is low maintenance, long-lasting, easy to clean, and it holds up well against both sand and moisture. Natural stone is a great alternative to tile, since it provides similar maintenance benefits and moisture resistance, while complementing the beach home aesthetic. Eastman’s Carpet and Flooring also offers waterproof luxury vinyl flooring to give your beach house the warmth of wood floor with the low maintenance of vinyl. Maintain your windows by cleaning out the sills and tracks with a soft brush or vacuum attachment. Pour a little water into the sill to ensure that the weep holes – which drain rainwater – are flowing freely. If they’re clogged, use a piece of thin wire to gently open the hole. If your guests savor cool ocean breezes, be sure your windows are screened to keep the bugs at bay. Clean the screens by scrubbing them carefully on a flat surface with soapy water, and patch small holes as needed.
Air Conditioning & Refrigerator
Don’t risk an air conditioning malfunction during a busy rental period. Beat the summer heat by inspecting your air conditioning system, cleaning the unit, and replacing the filters. Keep guests cool all summer long by having the unit inspected by a professional. No other appliance works harder than your refrigerator, and cleaning the condenser coils will ensure that it stays consistently cold. Left unattended, these coils can easily become caked with dust – reducing the efficiency of your fridge, and leading to higher electric bills. Typically located on either the bottom or the back of your refrigerator, coils vent hot air from inside the unit. Bust the dust by unplugging the fridge and using a refrigerator coil brush to remove any dust, dirt, and pet hair from the coils.
Clean & Inspect
Have a chimney sweep clean out your fireplace and flue, and check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Use a pressure washer to eliminate any accumulated dirt and mold from your home’s siding, deck, driveway, and garage floor. Scrub down your patio and lawn furniture using a mild soap, and rinse with a garden hose. Check your wood siding and windows for loose or missing caulking, and replace it to guard against water damage. Trim back the bushes around the house, and test your sprinkler system to ensure that it will keep your lawn green and flowers blooming throughout the summer.
It’s almost rental season. Get your beach house ready to rent today, and enjoy a long – and profitable season.