Adding a stucco finish to your Cumberland rental property comes with both benefits and drawbacks. Like all exterior siding options, there are excellent motives to invest in stucco for a rental home, but there may be certain disadvantages that make stucco a less tempting option. To figure out whether stucco siding is suitable for your single-family rentals, it is important first to understand the basics of what stucco is as well as how much a stucco finish will cost. This information can then help you better decide on your rental properties.
Popular throughout the American Southwest, stucco siding can be applied in many climates and areas. This is because stucco is a cement-based plaster that is applied over a galvanized wire mesh called lathe, which helps the plaster adhere to the wall surface and adds strength. Stucco is usually applied in at least three coats, with the top or finish coat, including any color or special finishing techniques.
While the strength and durability of stucco are one of the biggest benefits, there are numerous different reasons why stucco might be the appropriate option for you.
- Stucco is tinted, not painted, which indicates that it can withstand fading for decades.
- Stucco can be textured for a unique and decorative look.
- With decent maintenance, stucco can last a very long time, which means that you will not need to budget for its replacement anytime soon.
- Stucco provides an outstanding shield against inclement weather.
- The cost of stucco itself is relatively low when compared to other types of siding, making it an economical option.
Of course, along with the benefits that stucco has to offer, there are a few disadvantages too.
- Stucco requires professional installation which can significantly increase the cost.
- Applying stucco can be a time-intensive project, with most professional stucco companies requiring several days to complete the job.
- Stucco can be damaged easily, needing professional repairs.
One more worry is whether you can pay for it to depreciate the cost of your stucco finish over the span of several years. According to the IRS, a large improvement like adding stucco to your rental property’s exterior cannot be deducted as an expense but rather depreciated over time. This means that you will be able to deduct the full cost of the stucco siding, but not all at once. This makes a careful assessment of your cash flows and tax situation an essential part of your decision-making process.
In the event you decide that stucco is still the best possible choice for your properties, the next step is to find a decent stucco company that will do the job the right way and at a fair price. It can be tricky to find a reputable service provider without spending a lot of time on research, time that may be more profitably spent on your investing activities.
The good news is that Real Property Management Providence can help. Our Cumberland property managers can offer proposals and guidance about exterior siding options, as well as recommend quality stucco professionals dedicated to providing the highest customer service. To learn more, contact us today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
