Decorating Your Rental Home!

April 30, 2018

Decorating as a tenant has it limits, but if you follow your lease, and these guidelines, it can be as fun and easy as decorating any other home!

1. Ask before you paint.

Make sure to follow your lease with us by getting any paint jobs approved. You may be in violation of your lease if you do not – even if you use a professional contractor and provide receipts. The colors need to be approved, as does the work, so that we as your property management company know that A. The work will be easy to reverse, or B. It will not decrease the rental value of the home. If you feel like painting that bright blue focal point wall, I’d say go for it! Just run it by us first.

2. Hang some pictures!

Pictures in nice frames can really spruce up walls, and make it feel more like your own home! Wear and tear normally includes small nail holes in walls, as long as they are smaller than a dime. If you want to mount a TV, be prepared to cover the small cost of drywall to cover that hole. Another way to really brighten up a home are string lights. The popularity in decorating with string lights has gone through the roof, and you can find cheap, safe string lights in any store. Hang them from a fireplace mantle, on your kitchen countertop, or around your bathroom mirrors! As long as the holes are smaller than the size of a dime, you are within your normal wear and tear guidelines.

3. Can I Renovate?

Adding light fixtures, changing tile, countertops, or flooring, maybe even taking down a railing, or adding a backsplash. All of this, if you were to do without notifying us, would put you in violation of your lease, which could possibly lead to you getting notices or even eviction. Now, we don’t want that, so the best way to approach serious renovations like this would be to get in contact with us! Let us know what you’re wanting. That way, we can make the informed decision, let the homeowner know, and get it approved, so that you can stay in good faith on your lease.

4. What about outside?

If you’re lucky enough to have a yard in Colorado, you probably see the intense competition to have the best yard on the block. While we understand that you might want to add that gorgeous water feature, that is definitely something that you’ll want to get in touch with us about. When it comes to caring for your lawn, you can aerate and water to your hearts content – as keeping the landscaping in good condition is a part of your lease! But adding bushes, planting flowers, buying trees, starting an herb garden – it’s best to get permission from us before taking on the adventure that is the outdoors in Colorado. Even if you make the home more beautiful, the owner could come back and say that they didn’t want it that way, and you could be liable for charges. They key here? Just ask!

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Spring Maintenance Checklist for Rental Properties

By Masters Real Estate • April 10, 2025
As the days get longer and temperatures start to rise, spring is the perfect time to give your rental properties a much-needed refresh. After a long winter, a thorough inspection and maintenance routine not only keeps your property in top shape but also helps prevent costly repairs down the line. Whether you're a seasoned landlord or managing your first rental, here’s a spring maintenance checklist to help keep your investment—and your tenants—happy. Masters Real Estate does regular property inspections to ensure all of these items are taken care of in order to protect our clients investments. ✅ 1. Inspect the Roof and Gutters Winter can be harsh on roofing materials. Look for missing shingles, signs of leaks, or storm damage. Don’t forget to clean out gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage and prevent water damage. ✅ 2. Service the HVAC System Before temperatures soar, schedule a professional HVAC inspection and tune-up. Change air filters and check for any issues that could affect performance or energy efficiency—this keeps your tenants comfortable and reduces utility complaints. ✅ 3. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Safety first! Spring is a good reminder to test and replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s a small step that can save lives and protect your property. ✅ 4. Check for Pest Issues Rising temperatures mean increased pest activity. Look for signs of rodents, termites, or ants—especially in basements, attics, and around the foundation. Consider scheduling a pest control service as a preventative measure. ✅ 5. Inspect Windows and Doors Examine seals, caulking, and weather stripping. Not only can worn-out seals drive up heating and cooling costs, but they also make the property less secure and more susceptible to moisture damage. ✅ 6. Spruce Up Landscaping Trim overgrown shrubs, remove fallen branches, and refresh mulch beds. Not only does this boost curb appeal, but it also helps prevent issues like foundation damage from overgrown roots or clogged drains. ✅ 7. Examine Exterior Paint and Siding Take a walk around the property and look for chipped paint, cracked siding, or areas showing wear. Spring is a great time for touch-ups that keep your property looking well-maintained and attractive to current and prospective tenants. ✅ 8. Check Walkways and Driveways Inspect for cracks or uneven areas that could become tripping hazards. Repairs now can prevent bigger problems later, especially if water seeps in and freezes again next winter. ✅ 9. Clean Out Dryer Vents Lint buildup in dryer vents is a major fire hazard. Ensure vents are clean and functioning properly—it’s a quick job that protects both the property and your tenants. ✅ 10. Aerate the Lawns Lawn aeration is a crucial lawn care practice of creating small holes in the soil to improve air, water, and nutrient penetration. This helps to alleviate soil compaction, promote healthier root growth, and reduce thatch buildup. An ideal time to aerate is in the Spring before you turn on the sprinklers. Spring maintenance is all about being proactive. By staying ahead of repairs and keeping your rental property in great shape, you protect your investment and create a safe, comfortable environment for your tenants. Keep this checklist handy and make spring your most productive season yet! Don't have time to manage your rental property? Masters Real Estate can help! Learn more about our services and get a free rental analysis.
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5 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Property Manager

By Masters Real Estate • February 6, 2024
When you're looking for a property manager, it's not always easy to know what to look for. There are 5 key things to consider when choosing someone to manage your investment property. Read this to learn what these are and how to pick the best property manager to save you time, money, and stress while managing your properties!

Winter Is on the Way! Time To Get Your Sprinklers Blown Out and Winterize Your Lawn

By Masters Real Estate • October 12, 2022
As winter approaches, it's time to get prepared for the season. There are three things that are on the top of the to do list, arguably the most important things you need to do is winterize your sprinkler system. If not done properly you will find yourself with a maintenance emergency and an expensive repair bill when freezing temperatures come to Colorado. Another thing to consider is keeping branches away from your home and car during Spring where we receive moisture heavy seasonal snow that can damage anything or cause injury as they fall off. And lastly, if you like your healthy lawn, its aeration/fertilization time. Get your sprinklers blown out for the season Winter is the time to get your sprinklers blown out. The winterizing process helps ensure that your irrigation equipment will last longer and will not burst during the coldest months of the year. If water freezes in an un-winterized system, it expands and bursts water lines, sprinkler heads, backflow preventers and the plumbing inside your home causing significant, traumatic and costly damage. To winterize your sprinkler system: Turn off the water lines Blow out all hoses so they are not full of water Close the solenoids or turn off your system. Turn off outside faucets (check for leaks). Make sure your sprinkler system has been unplugged or disengaged. Remove tree branches that might break off with heavy snow or ice If you have trees on your property, especially large ones that may need to be removed in the future, it is important to do the following: Remove dead or diseased branches. These branches can fall and cause damage if they are near power lines or on top of your car. Remove branches that are too close to the house. This helps protect against wind coming from different directions and knocking down some of these trees onto your home. If there is a large tree that has grown too tall and its branches are overhanging your driveway, this could also cause problems with vehicles driving underneath it or kids playing around it during winter months when snow falls heavily overnight causing heavy snowfalls while temperatures drop quickly during nights when people go outside before sunrise during those cold mornings before going off to work or school! Get your lawn aerated Your lawn has had a long year of getting watered, being pressurized and packed down by lawn mowing, now its time to the alleviate the pressure. Aerating is a great thing for the lawn. It pokes holes throughout the lawn allowing for water, air and nutrients to get in deep to the roots. The holes are 2 or 3 inches into the ground, not too deep for your sprinkler lines to get punctured, but deep enough to help with new roots. After aerating you will want to put down a winter fertilizer, the fertilizer will get deep into the soil allowing for the nutrients to be delivered right to the source. Making sure you have a good fertilizer is also important. There are several good brands out there that you can find at the local home hardware store. If you need help managing your investment property, please let us know through our contact form or by calling 303-930-5125.
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