Why would a well-qualified tenant choose your property over all the others on the market?
You have to know what they want. Otherwise, it will be challenging to attract the best residents to your Windsor rental.
We’re looking at what tenants love about renting in Windsor. This is information landlords need to know if they’re hoping to rent their properties quickly, attract good tenants, increase their rents, and retain those residents for the long term.
What is so special about living in Windsor? Let’s look at the 5 top reasons tenants love living here.
1. The Community Atmosphere
Sonoma County is all about community, and that’s especially evident in Windsor, renowned for its tight-knit, family-friendly, diverse community. Residents enjoy settling in here for the city’s vibrant local events, like the seasonal Windsor Farmers Market or the summer concert series on the Town Green. These happenings create a sense of belonging that tenants value, especially today when so many people seem disconnected.
From a demographic standpoint, we have noticed many remote workers moving into Windsor for the community-rich quality of life, as well as retirees, families, and professionals looking for more than just a rental property. They want a sense of stability and home and a connection to their community and surroundings.
How can landlords attract tenants looking for a sense of community in their Windsor rental homes? We have some ideas:
- Highlight your property’s proximity to community spaces like the Town Green and Community Center in your listings. If it’s within walking distance, you’re going to have a competitive advantage.
- Provide information about local events to your tenants. When you’re a resource to your residents, it shows you care about helping them feel at home.
- Consider adding features like bike racks, EV chargers, or outdoor seating to establish a sense of community in multi-unit properties. When you provide places for tenants to gather, a community is naturally created.
2. Access to Outdoor Recreation
California has a reputation for outstanding weather, and in our part of the state, we enjoy quite a bit of sunshine and a lot of seasonal activities. That’s a big part of what tenants love about living here.
Windsor is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With Foothill Regional Park and the Russian River right around the corner, tenants enjoy an abundance of hiking, biking, and water adventures. The area’s mild climate only adds to the appeal of outdoor living.
The residents looking for homes here will value outdoor space, green space, and environmentally sustainable living situations that don’t harm the natural environment that they love.
This gives rental property owners a number of opportunities to stand out in a competitive market. We suggest you leverage this love of outdoor recreation in order to attract high quality renters to your property.
Enhance your property with outdoor-friendly features like patio space, gardens, or secure storage for bikes and gear. Even if you only have a courtyard to offer renters, you can make it an attractive and inviting place to relax.
It’s also good to mention proximity to parks, trails, and outdoor attractions in your marketing materials. Make sure your listing highlights the ease with which a tenant might be able to get to their favorite outdoor spot.
Don’t forget pets. When you offer pet-friendly rentals, you’ll find that you attract a more significant number of tenants in general. Many outdoor enthusiasts also value housing that accommodates their furry companions. Healdsburg Property Management has a Pet Screening Service to help qualify responsible and well-cared for pets.
3. Wine Country Lifestyle
It’s hard not to appreciate wine or beer when you’re living in the middle of California’s richest and most celebrated wine country as well as an array of craft breweries. Living in Windsor means being at the gateway to some of the finest wineries and breweries Sonoma County has to offer.
Many tenants are drawn to the region for its unique wine country lifestyle, where opportunities to explore tasting rooms and vineyards are just minutes away. When it comes to loving where you live, many residents looking for homes in Windsor will tell you that they chose this city to be part of the wine culture and the agricultural splendors that this region celebrates.
What does this mean for you as a landlord who is attracting tenants to a rental home? For short-term rental property owners, it’s easy to make an appealing pitch to visitors and vacationers who are on wine tasting tours for a weekend or a week. But when you’re looking for long-term residents, you can also use the wine country angle to your advantage:
- Market your rental property as a gateway to the wine country lifestyle. This will get the attention of wine lovers, students of wine, professionals in the field, and even casual tasters.
- Consider adding upscale touches like stainless steel appliances or modern finishes that align with the wine country’s luxurious appeal. The tenants who choose to live in Windsor for access to Sonoma County wine country will have very refined and defined tastes.
- Offer furnished or unfurnished short-term rental options for tenants who are testing out the wine region before settling long-term.
4. A Thriving Local Economy
When choosing a place to live, people want to feel economically secure. Windsor offers that, and the local economy is always going to be high on the list of reasons tenants decide to rent a home here. They’re drawn to Windsor’s proximity to major employers in Sonoma County. They’re willing to start their own company or small business here. The spirit of entrepreneurship, the access to good-paying jobs, and the ongoing trend of remote working combined with Windsor’s small-town charm make it an ideal location for anyone looking for a positive work/life balance in this part of California.
As you market your property to potential residents, consider highlighting easy commutes and proximity to employment hubs in your property listings. You can also create flexible rental terms that are likely to appeal to professionals who may be here for work. This might include offering conveniences like flexible lease lengths and high-speed internet access. Such amenities and features can make your property stand out.
Finally, consider family-friendly upgrades, such as energy-efficient appliances or additional storage, to attract working families. Your tenants will appreciate smart home technology, dedicated work-from-home space, and other features that speak to the tenants choosing Windsor because of its proximity to work and growing economy.
5. Top-Notch Schools and Safety
Windsor is a magnet for families, thanks to its highly rated schools and reputation for safety. Parents prioritize areas where they feel their children can thrive, and Windsor delivers exactly that. You’ll find that even residents who do not have school-aged children appreciate living in an area that has good schools.
Windsor Unified School District is home to two elementary schools, a highly rated middle school, a unique comprehensive high school, a dual-language-immersion charter school, a Big Picture Learning high school, and a virtual school for 6th through 12 graders. The education system here is innovative and dedicated to serving the needs of all students, wherever they happen to be on their academic journey.
As an investor, you want to buy in areas that are safe, attractive, and full of excellent school districts. It means rising property values for you and an ongoing supply of well-qualified tenants who want to rent your home. When you’re trying to appeal to residents who prioritize schools and safety, consider these strategies:
- Include local school rankings and statistics in your property descriptions to attract families.
- Invest in family-friendly upgrades, like fenced yards, spacious living areas, or nearby playgrounds.
- Consider creating long-term leasing options for families that are planning to settle down.
Choosing Windsor, CA as a Landlord or a Tenant
Now that we have shared the top five reasons tenants love living in Windsor, you can decide how you plan to approach this market. Whether you already have homes to rent out or are considering investing here, understanding what tenants want and need can help you decide how you lease and manage your properties.
Windsor’s unique qualities as a rental hotspot make it an incredible opportunity for landlords. Whether your property caters to families looking for good schools, working professionals who want to be close to their jobs, or outdoor enthusiasts, tailoring your rental to Windsor’s lifestyle will improve your marketability and tenant retention.
We are here to make property management effortless for landlords and real estate investors looking to get the most out of Windsor’s growing rental market. From tenant screening to marketing and maintenance, we focus on building positive relationships between landlords and renters.
Let’s talk about your next moves when it comes to investing in Windsor. Please contact us at Healdsburg Property Management, and we’ll put together a customized and actionable plan to help you succeed.
Healdsburg Property Management manages single-family homes, duplexes, fourplexes, and multi-unit properties of up to seven units throughout Sonoma County’s Wine Country, including Healdsburg, Geyserville, Windsor, Northern Santa Rosa, Cloverdale, Sebastopol and Forestville.