A successful rental home often has the right features—that make the property functional, attractive, and easy for today’s renters to say yes to.
Renting a home success is not just about setting the right price. Today’s renters are looking for comfort, convenience and cost savings—and homes that deliver on those values tend to rent faster and get fewer vacancies.
In this Redfin article, we break down what factors typically improve a rental and what improvements should be prioritized based on real market data, and how location often plays a bigger role than you might think.
In this article:
Features that attract tenants and help reduce space
Development with a solid return on investment
How important is place and place
Common mistakes investors make—and what to prioritize instead
How to choose features based on your target employer
Features that make it easy to rent a home: last
Features that attract tenants and help reduce space
As utility costs rise, tenants pay more attention to monthly expenses beyond rent. In accordance with Mashvisorenergy efficiency quickly becomes an expectation rather than a bonus.
Sylvia Shalhout, Real Estate Insights and Content Lead at Mashvisor, explains that energy efficiency is no longer a bonus—it’s becoming an expectation for tenants. “Rising utility costs continue to be a pain for the average US renter. Energy-efficient rental features that help lower these costs such as LED lighting, good insulation, and smart thermostats are becoming a staple for renters.”
These features not only appeal to cost-conscious tenants but also help properties stand out in competitive rental markets. Mashvisor adds that these enhancements “can significantly improve appeal and reduce time to market.”
Some high-impact services can improve tenant occupancy and satisfaction. Shalhout notes: “Based on Mashvisor’s analysis of active short-term rental listings over the past 12 months, four properties lakes they were about 8% more likely to reach 70%+ occupancy compared to the overall market. Modern convenience features such as EV chargers and self-checkout showed a positive correlation with strong booking performance, suggesting that both experiential services and ease of access play a role in hiring demand.”
High-impact development and resources that often bring strong returns:
1.LED lighting that lowers energy consumption and maintenance costs.
2. Quality installation that improves comfort and reduces heating and cooling costs.
3. Smart thermostats which allows employers to manage energy use in a more efficient way.
4. Modern, well-maintained systems that indicates a move-in ready home.
5. Pools, EV chargers, and self-checkout systems improving comfort and convenience for tenants.
| Amenity | % of Top Locations List | % of all lists | Performance Lift | Average Annual Salary (Top Occ List) |
| The pool | 42.11% | 39.04% | +7.9% | $5,927 |
| EV charger | 90.5% | 86.34% | +4.8% | $4,614 |
| Self check-in | 88.17% | 85.55% | +3.1% | $4,592 |
While not all markets require these features, they can make a measurable difference depending on your location and tenant profile.
Development with a solid return on investment
When it comes to developing a rental, first impressions are important. Mashvisor emphasizes that exterior improvements are often the most cost-effective investment homeowners can make because they have a direct impact on potential tenants.
“Never underestimate terminate the appeal development. First impressions drive shows, so improvements like new paint, new siding, or replacing an old front door with metal work best,” explains Shalhout. “Exterior improvements will reduce space and add value, providing the best ROI on resale.”
External development often benefits:
6. Fresh exterior paint giving the home a clean, updated look.
7. New or updated side that improves durability and appearance.
8. Front iron doors which improve safety and prevent complaints.
9. External factors that cannot be properly adjusted which reduces long-term storage costs.
How important is place and place
Even the most renovated house can be difficult if it does not match what the tenants want in the surrounding area. Accessibility, nearby amenities, and convenience all contribute to the desirability of tenants. If you rent your own Home for sale in Tucson, AZ, Hawthorne, CAor anything else, the location and neighborhood help the home stand out can make all the difference.
Shalhout explains: “Even a nice, modern house will struggle to find space in an inaccessible area. Walking it has become a negotiable item among employers in many urban markets. In urban markets, dedicated parking is a priority. Landlords must comply with the needs of local tenants.”
Area factors that influence employment:
10. Travel: Easy access to shops, restaurants, and transportation is very important in urban areas.
11. Availability of parking space: Important in suburban areas where tenants rely on cars
12. Proximity to public transportation: Expands the pool of potential tenants.
13. Safety of neighbors and utilities: Parks, grocery stores, and other amenities enhance overall attractiveness.
Before investing in upgrades, consider whether your property’s location already meets the tenant’s expectations—or if a small upgrade could help fill the gap.
Common mistakes investors make—and what to prioritize instead
Many real estate investors think that larger renovations automatically lead to higher rents or faster rentals, but that’s not always the case.
Shalhout warns that over-remodeling can lead to unnecessary costs without significantly improving the living space: “Real estate investors often over-remodel, which leads to financial losses.
Instead of fixing costs, investors should focus on improvements and features that reduce friction between tenants and reduce long-term cost of ownership.
“Priority features that reduce friction and cost benefits between tenants such as Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring.”
Smart development to prioritize:
14. Durable flooring: LVP or other durable materials that withstand heavy use.
15. Small kitchen and electrical updates: Change outdated electronics or readjusting counters instead of overhauling.
16. Maintenance-friendly features: Fixed and finished items that are easy to clean and maintain
17. Inexpensive development affecting tenant comfort: Active lighting, smart thermostats, or active storage.
How to choose features based on your target employer
Not every upgrade or service will appeal to every recruiter, so it’s important to tailor features that suit your target audience. Understanding who is likely to rent your property helps investors prioritize improvements that really make a difference.
Long-term employers versus short-term employment
- Long term tenants may prioritize durability, maintenance and energy efficiency.
- Short term tenants may care more about amenities such as swimming pools, smart locks and updated plots.
Urban architecture vs
- Urban tenants often value walking and access to transportation.
- Downtown tenants may prioritize parking, yard space and extra bedrooms.
Understanding your prospective employer helps ensure that your promotion is strategic—not just cosmetic.
Features that make it easy to rent a home: last
The most successful rental properties are not necessarily the most expensive or well-maintained. They are designed with the employer’s needs in mind. With a focus on data-driven development, housing market data, and align your property with what today’s tenants value most, you can reduce vacancy, improve tenant satisfaction and strengthen your long-term prospects for rental income.
