Those of you who might not know this—I rent out a townhome here in Charlotte. It’s actually the first home I ever bought, back in 2011, when I was single and still fairly new to the city. It was my first big purchase, and I loved that house. I lived there from 2011 until 2023, when Ryan and I decided to renovate his house and move into it together.

The townhome is in great shape overall, but after having renters in it for the past two years, there are always a few things that need to be done to get it ready for the next tenants. My mindset has always been this: I want the home to be in good enough condition that I would want to live in it. If it meets my standards, then I feel confident new renters will appreciate it too.

Here’s the checklist I use to prepare the property before handing over the keys:

1. Deep Clean Everything

• Hire a professional cleaning crew or set aside time for a thorough clean.
• Focus on appliances, baseboards, ceiling fans, windows, and the often-forgotten nooks and crannies.

2. Touch Up Paint

• Paint can go a long way in making a home feel fresh and clean.
• This time around, we did quite a bit of touch-up painting. I try to stick with one to two colors throughout the house to keep things simple and save money while still making everything look cohesive.

3. Check Floors and Carpets

• Steam clean carpets or consider replacing if they’re heavily worn.
• Mop and polish hardwood or laminate floors to bring back shine.

4. Service Appliances

• Make sure the stove, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and fridge are working properly.
• Replace filters (HVAC, range hood, etc.) and don’t forget about draining the water heater to keep it running efficiently.

5. Inspect Plumbing and Electrical

• Test faucets, drains, toilets, and light fixtures.
• The fire department will actually come out to check alarms to make sure they’re working properly—such a helpful service.

6. Update Fixtures if needed

• Small upgrades (new cabinet pulls, updated light fixtures, fresh caulk in bathrooms) can go a long way in keeping the home feeling cared for.

7. Curb Appeal

• Thankfully with the townhome, landscaping is maintained by the HOA. However, we still had to break out the power washer and clean the back patio—it’s amazing how much fresher it looks afterward.

8. Ask Previous Tenants

• Since they’ve been living in the space, they’ll often notice small issues you might miss on a walkthrough. Our previous tenants told us about a toilet that would occasionally run. It was still functional, but it was a simple fix—and probably not something we would have caught on our own.

Preparing a rental property is a bit of work, but it’s worth it. For me, it’s about creating a home that feels welcoming and well-cared-for, so the renters feel the same way about living there. After all, it was once my home, and I want it to be loved just as much by the next people who walk through the door.