Landlord Tips – Important Sample Bag

This tote bag might look like a bunch of nothing but actually it is probably one of the most important things in my house.

This tote bag has certainly helped me many times over the years in my duties of being a landlord.

It contains samples of paint, wood work, tile, carpeting and a variety of other samples from not only my own home but from my rentals.

 

Condo. Carpet, Tile and Paint Samples

I have things mostly sectioned off in large plastic bags with the address of the rental written on the bags.

In this particular bag, I have a carpet sample, tile sample and a used paint stick.

I, also, keep the actual name of each color sample, how many gallons it takes to paint a particular room and the paint finish.  I usually go for the middle eggshell finish.

I find it helpful to have a larger color sample, like the used paint stick, to help me match colors up.

I’ve often kept the lids of paint cans which usually have the name of the paint color on it.

This way, there is a sample of the paint which can be matched up on the inside of the paint can lid.

Sometimes I tear off the entire paint can label if the paint can is empty.

Paint Can Lids with Name of Paint Colors Carpet Sample

I also keep a small sample of the carpet when they put down new carpeting.  The workers often just toss these pieces out.

So many times, after a tenant leaves I need to immediately get the unit in shape for a viewing.  I often only have a day or two to hold the unit before I put it back on the rental market.  In this case, time is money, and I don’t want to have to come up with another mortgage payment if I don’t have to.

I have had cases were the curtains needed to be replaced so I needed the paint and carpeting sample to match up with the new curtains.

Move out day also almost always leaves a few small nicks or areas which need a small paint touch up.

Sample Wood Flooring and Paint Samples

Last but not least, this is the baggie of my home’s wooden flooring, shower tiling, and paint samples.

If I need a touch up of paint, and need to buy a new can of paint, at least I am able to match up the colors perfectly.

I’ve also had to quickly pick out a color for a new rental carpeting.  Instead of taking a large carpet sample over to the rental, I was able to quickly pick out a new carpeting color by matching up the paint sample and tile flooring sample in my tote bag.

When I’m off to pick up new items, I conveniently grab my sample bag and off I go.

I’m also less likely to lose a sample.

It has saved me lots of time, effort, and I believe in getting a great color match for things I need to buy for my home or my rentals.

Landlord Sample Bag

Make sure you select a strong bag to hold your samples since it can get quite heavy.

This bag is actually a nicely made gardening bag with a sturdy bottom.

I hope this sample bag tip will, also, give you some help in your day to day decorating needs and also your landlord duties.