So, you’re thinking about renting out your personal residence.
Maybe you’re excited—“I’m ready to be a Landlord!”
Or maybe you’re just stuck—“I don’t want to lose my interest rate and the market isn’t great, so I guess I’ll rent it.”
Either way, transitioning your home into a rental property isn’t just about sticking a “For Rent” sign in the yard. You’re about to step into a business—and your home is the product.
If you want that product to attract the best Residents (and avoid the costly ones), how you prepare it matters. A lot.
Forget the mindset of “It’s just a rental.” That’s how you lose money. Today’s Renters expect quality. And the homes that deliver it? They lease faster, for more money, and to better Tenants.
So, let’s talk about how to turn your house into a rock-solid rental property—without learning the hard way:
7 Ways to Prepare Your Indianapolis Home for Rent:
1. Get Your Stuff Out
Unless you’re planning to lease the home furnished—and trust us, that’s rarely a good idea—remove everything personal. Furniture. Art. Grill with the missing burner. It all goes.
2. Fix What's Broken
You might’ve gotten used to the leaky faucet or the door that won’t latch. Your Resident won’t be so understanding. Address all known maintenance issues before listing.
3. Paint Like a Pro
Neutral. Consistent. Clean. That’s your paint plan. And skip the flat finish—it’s impossible to clean. Go with eggshell or something similarly durable.
4. Professional Cleaning—Yes, Really
A spotless home photographs better, shows better, and rents faster. It also sets the tone. Residents who move into a clean home are more likely to leave it clean. Win-win.
5. Steam Clean Carpets
Not with a Rug Doctor. Hire a pro with a trunk-mounted steam cleaner. Then, require your Resident to do the same at move-out. It protects your investment.
6. Final Touch-Up Clean
Once showings are done and right before move-in, get a quick clean to reset the space. You want the first impression on move-in day to be a great one.
7. Keys & Locks
Get multiple copies made. Consider rekeying the property so all locks use the same key—your future self (and your Vendors) will thank you.
Why This Matters:
We know—this all sounds like work. That’s because it is.
But every dollar and hour you put into prep helps your bottom line:
1. The Market is Competitive
There are more rental homes in Indy than ever before. Your property is competing for attention. Stand out.
2. Higher Rent. Better Residents.
Tenants will absolutely pay more for a home that’s clean, well-maintained, and move-in ready. Good homes attract good Tenants.
3. Shorter Vacancy = More Money
Days on Market is your silent cashflow killer. A well-prepped home rents faster—and vacancy is where investors bleed profit.
4. Renewals Start on Day One
Great Tenant experiences begin with a great home. Start strong, and you’re more likely to keep them long-term (and avoid the cost of turnover).
Final Word: Treat It Like a Business
If you’re making the move from homeowner to Landlord, treat it like what it is: a business. And the more prepared your “product” is, the easier—and more profitable—this venture will be.
If you’re not sure where to start, or just want to offload the heavy lifting, that’s where we come in. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Central Indiana make the transition. We’d be glad to help you too.
