Should You Upgrade Your Dacula Rental to Central Air
The decision to upgrade a Dacula rental home to central air conditioning is one that must be made circumstantially. Upgrades bring both pros and cons because each situation is different. The Question of whether to upgrade or not depends on a number of factors. Location, cost, repair and replacement costs and the expected return on the investment must all be considered before upgrading.
Cost
Central air conditioning units are one of the largest ongoing costs for a rental property. For investors with limited cash flow, upgrading a rental property with central air will place a heavy burden on an investment budget. However, if your rental is located in an area where central air is a common and expected feature, deciding not to install it could severely impede your ability to attract quality, long-term tenants. Long vacancies and lower rental rates may result, potentially causing income losses in excess of the new unit’s upfront cost. For this reason, the decision to upgrade must include a careful assessment of all of the costs involved.
Location
In some parts of the country central air conditioning is considered a luxury item. In areas with temperate summers, adding a central air conditioning unit to a rental property may not always strengthen appeal. Tenants in these areas may not be willing to pay more for what they view as an unnecessary add-on. But in other locations, central air conditioning is not only expected but necessary. Certain climates will make having an air conditioning unit in your rental property an essential part of attracting quality tenants. Few tenants in these areas will be willing to suffer through the heat in a rental home.
Repair and Replacement
In many states, once you place an air conditioning unit you will be responsible for maintaining it in good working order for the entire tenancy of a renter. Many state laws and local health codes have this requirement in place, so if you are thinking of placing air conditioning as a trial, make sure you understand your local laws to see if these codes and requirements apply to your investment property.
Expected Return
Along with location, cost, and maintenance aspects, it is important to estimate the expected return. Central air conditioning units are a significant investment that require ongoing maintenance and repairs. Installing one may be expensive in the short term, but the increased property value and appeal, not to mention the ability to charge higher rent, may ensure that the upgrade pays for and sustains itself within a relatively short time. However, if the market doesn’t weigh heavily in favor of upgrading to central air, deciding to do so anyway could make it impossible to recoup the original cost of installation and ongoing maintenance.
Ultimately, the decision to upgrade your rental property with central air relies on carefully weighing the pros and cons, gathering good information, and gaining a solid understanding of your rental market. The professionals at Real Property Management have market expertise in over 300 locations in North America. We offer our property owners market evaluations for each property. We offer this service to help you make the decisions that are right for your particular situation.
Contact us at Real Property Management of Greater Gwinnet for more information!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.