Indiana Realtor blog by James P Wells. Discussing Real Estate topics concerning Central Indiana and the US. Focusing on Boone and Marion County.

I’ve owned rental property for several years now. It sure can be tough at times, but rewarding at others. In the past two years, I’ve gotten worse renters than in the past. I don’t know if it’s that I’m getting too nice in my old age, or what.

I finished laying, then grouted, the bathroom floor today in the front unit of a current property. A little over 1/2 of the place has been cleaned and painted. The bathroom now looks 1000% better (I also took the “warning gas” sticker off the bathroom door). I don’t do all the work needed on the property, a plumber is the among the 1st professional I’ll call, right with an electrician. But the ceramic tile floor in the bathroom is now much more durable than the previous laminate that one renters had scorched, and another tore out. It adds beauty, functionality, and durability.

I had 2 types of sanded grout that would give me just about enough to do the job. I took the chance and mixed the bags: I was 1/4 a medium to light gray and 3/4 a coffee brown by 2 different manufacturers. If I ran out, I would have a really tough time matching the grout. I worked my way from the back corner giving the areas that needed the grout, the grout they needed. A little over halfway done, I realized how close it was going to be on whether I would have enough to finish the job. I started grouting strategically, planning to hide any other future grout needs behind the toilet. Fortunately, the toilet sits right next to the door, so I was able to save those areas till last. The best part was finishing the bucket of grout perfectly in sync with finishing the floor. All I had to do was clean the bucket, wasn’t any leftover grout.

Making improvements to a property, if done properly can definitely add to the value. Whether it’s your residence or investment property, don’t forget to re-invest over time and as needed.