All You Need to Know About the Rental Market in Sacramento

The rental market in Sacramento is undergoing an energetic resurgence. Students, young professionals, and big families searching for an urban vibe are swapping life in bustling metropolises and moving to this low-key farm-to-fork wonderland—and we totally get them. Where else are you going to get to rub shoulders with award-winning chefs at farmers markets, window shop at trendy boutiques (which seem to pop up on every corner by the way), and get to live in the most charming Victorian-era abodes imaginable? The State Capital truly has it all.

Renting in Sacramento 101

The State Capital was on the nation’s top 10 list of rent increases in 2020. The reason for this is that post-pandemic, a lot of people are moving out of big cities like San Francisco and heading towards less-crowded surrounding areas like Sacramento. Ironically, this has made places like San Francisco see a decline in rent, which, if you know anything about the Bay Area, is almost like coming face to face with the Loch Ness Monster. 

When it comes to apartments for rent in Sacramento, the State Capital is lagging a little behind on inventory—another reason that prices are going up. According to statistics from September 20, 2021, the average rent for a one-bedroom Sacramento apartment was $1,425; that’s a zero percent decrease compared to the previous year. Two-bedroom apartments, however, have seen an eight percent increase compared to last year’s rates, averaging at about $1,780.

Most Affordable Neighborhoods To Rent in Sacramento

While always subject to change, Sacramento’s most affordable neighborhoods include Garland (average rent for about $895 a month), East Del Paso Heights ($ 1,195 a month), and South Hagginwood ($1,195 a month). Due to their affordability, expect to see a lot of students and young professionals in these neighborhoods, which, as you might have already guessed, also boast the cheapest rooms you can rent in Sacramento.

Priciest Neighborhoods to Find a Sacramento Rental

The city’s downtown has rent tags that go up to $3,143 a month—this is where you’ll find the most luxurious apartments to rent in Sacramento. Natomas Crossing comes at a close second, with the median rent prices at around $2,726 every month. And third is Elmhurst, where you would be expected to pay an average of $2,583 a month.

What You Should do Before Putting Your Apartment for Rent in Sacramento

Prospective owners always want to know what they should get done to score top dollar for their rental property, and it’s always an important inquiry—if you can earn as much as you can, why shouldn’t you? All you need to do is transform your living space to its highest Pinterest-worthy potential and remember that this is not a seller’s guide; a renter needs to have an idea of what living in this Sacramento apartment really feels like. Here are a few things you can (and should) do.

Give the Property a Fresh Paint Makeover

A fresh coat of paint always looks clean and nice, but aim for the color to be as neutral as possible, even if you personally like being extra or religiously follow Pantone orders. The fact remains that it’s hard for tenants to picture themselves living in super taste-specific spaces. Instead, opt for neutrals like soft whites (they really go a long way). If one room is purple and the other one is orange, your prospective tenants might not want to picture their kids or guests staying in those rooms, or will pass up your opportunity because fitting decor would be hard to find. So take it from us and your friendly top realtors—neutrals are always better when putting homes for rent in Sacramento.

Eliminate Personal Clutter 

Hoarders might not like this, but the fewer personal items there are in the property you’re renting out, the better. You don’t have to have mail on the counter or a ton of pictures on the walls and picture frames all over the surfaces. Remove your clutter from the bathroom and make sure that the beds are perfectly made. When someone is checking out your property, less is almost always better.

Pay Close Attention to Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most vital components to a house that prospective tenants look at, especially the ones who love to cook. You want to make sure that you have all the appliances and that the rooms are squeaky clean—the same neutral-colored paint psychology applies here too, by the way. And while this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to carry out a whole kitchen remodel for a showing, small improvements to your property will go a long way.

Manageable Yards and Landscaping

You might think you’ll be able to charge more rent because you have a huge yard and a few lovely fruit trees. This can be great if someone is buying your house. Renters, however, aren’t very interested in taking care of fruit trees. A large yard only means higher costs for you because you may need to hire a gardener. These things need to be maintained during a tenancy. So, something that you might see as an advantage might actually be narrowing down your tenant pool to large families only.

The market for the Right Season

Let’s say you’re putting a home or even a room for rent in Sacramento and it’s summer—naturally, having a pool is going to be a big plus. Tenants will love being shown around at a house with a pool in the heat of summer; it’ll immediately paint a visual of leisurely afternoons spent soaking by the water. But this same picture does not exactly sell in the winter, does it? When the colder season rolls in, it’s better to shift to promoting fireplaces and garages, and even energy-efficient appliances; no one wants huge electric bills.

Make Your Property Pop

Last but certainly not least, when putting your apartment up for rent in Sacramento, the most important thing to consider is the cleanliness of your property. Think of it as a hotel room—when you walk into one, what is the first thing you check for? Cleanliness. You don’t want to feel like you’re living in a place that someone else just stayed in and didn’t clean and neither do your potential tenants. Keep your place airy, open, and in tip-top shape.