How to Review Your Property Portfolio: A Guide for Developers

Whether you are only a year in or 10 years down the line, whether you’re focusing on buy to lets or HMOs; we know that maintaining a competitive edge is key to maximising your returns in property. It’s easy to spend lots of time focusing on your new properties, especially when you are looking to grow. Expanding your portfolio is often the goal however it’s equally important to take a look at the potential of the properties you already own.

Reviewing your existing properties with a design-focused eye can uncover opportunities to boost rental yields, increase property values, and make your portfolio stand out. All without buying anything new.

So, if you want to start the year off with a bang! Then let’s get stuck into a strategic review of your portfolio to uncover some hidden potential.

Assess your current performance

A great starting point is to examine where you are right now. Start by examining the current performance of each property in your portfolio. Some simple questions to work through for each property:

Are rents in line with local market trends?
Do tenants stay long-term, or is turnover high?
What feedback do tenants provide about the property’s interior and overall appeal?

Does this show up any issues? Properties with rents below the local average or frequent tenant turnover could signal that the rental experience isn’t meeting expectations. In competitive rental markets, small design upgrades could make a significant difference here.

Compare Against Competitors

You’ll hopefully have done this when you first bought each property, but now is a great time to revisit this to see how much the market has changed. Look at similar properties in the area with the same tenant type as you. Are they offering something your properties lack? Features like modern kitchens, stylish bathrooms, co-working spaces or cohesive interiors often attract higher-paying tenants.

Visit competitors’ listings online looking at the photos, layouts and rent amounts.
Take note of what stands out – is there anything you can take on board?
How do your properties compare?

Identify Underperforming Spaces

Some properties in your portfolio may not be achieving their full potential, you might have had a smaller budget when renovating or the needs of tenants may have changed. Looking for spaces within your property that may be underperforming can create some great potential for uplifts. Review:

Communal areas in HMOs: Are they welcoming and functional?
Open-plan spaces: Do they feel cohesive or disconnected?
Kitchens and bathrooms: Are they dated or unappealing?
Work spaces: Are they provided in the rooms and communal space?

Investing in small upgrades or simply re-jigging the layouts in your properties can take an unusable space and turn it into something really desirable for your tenant type – helping you take an average HMO to a much more premium home.

Focus on Tenant Needs

Understanding what tenants want can help shape your design decisions. For each property, check your design is really suited to the tenant type you are renting to. Sometimes we have one tenant type in mind and things change over time. Are there any adjustments needed to suit your current tenant type? Here are some examples:

Home offices or flexible workspaces – these are great for students but even more crucial for professionals who might work from home
Sociable and fun communal space – especially important in student houses, you can have fun with this and it creates a great selling point.
Clever storage solutions – such a crucial one regardless of tenant type – does your property need more or better storage space?

Making these changes can elevate your properties above the competition and justify higher rents.

Calculate the Return on Investment

Upgrading your properties doesn’t have to mean a cost, it can be an investment that gives you more money back into your pocket. A carefully planned design refresh can deliver impressive results on a modest budget and help to keep your properties full for the long term.

Key areas where you’re likely to see high ROI include:

Professional staging and photography for showcasing your properties at their best.
Updated soft furnishings especially where things are starting to look a bit tired or worn.
Feature walls and murals can create a great focus point and give a property some personality
Kitchen or bathroom facelift – consider new cupboard doors, handles and hardware to give rooms a fresh new look

Work with Interior Design Experts

Finally, while DIY upgrades are tempting, working with a professional design team ensures that your investments are strategic and tailored to your market. It also means you can get on with running your business! An interior designer can help you:

Prioritise the most impactful updates.
Source high-quality, cost-effective materials.
Deliver a cohesive vision that aligns with your target tenant demographic.

At Aben Interiors, we specialise in helping property developers maximise the potential of their portfolios. With years of firsthand experience in property investment, we understand what works and how to deliver results that improve rental yields and property values.

Is it Time to Take Action?

By taking a closer look at your portfolio and investing in strategic design upgrades, you can:

Attract high-paying tenants.
Avoid long void periods.
Add long-term value to your properties.

So, are you ready to unlock your portfolio’s full potential? Contact Aben Interiors today for a tailored property review. Join our Interior Insights mailing list for weekly inspiration, tips, and updates designed to keep you ahead in the competitive property market.