Before you can start leasing to tenants, you must make sure your properties are ready to show. Taking pride in preparing and staging rental properties will allow you to fill your units with high-quality tenants faster.
While many landlords put all of their attention toward the interiors of their rentals, you don’t want to forget about curb appeal. Curb appeal is the first impression your property will make on a tenant when they come for a showing. For this reason, it’s important to make the exterior of your property attractive.
Here are some tips for enhancing your rental properties’ curb appeal.
Prioritize Landscaping
An unkempt yard gives off a bad first impression. Make sure you stay on top of mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, trimming tree branches and shrubbery, and mulching. If your property has a driveway, be sure that it’s in good shape and that there aren’t plants growing between concrete.
Not only does a well-kept yard make the property look nice and feel more inviting, but it makes the property look lived-in, which decreases the likelihood that you’ll have trespassers or squatters.
Add More Greenery
Flowers and trees make your property’s exterior feel more welcoming and peaceful. Depending on the plant and landscaping design, added greenery can also increase shade and privacy.
When adding greenery, make sure it’s all easy to maintain. You don’t want tenants to be put off by the amount of yard work that has to be done. There are plenty of easy-to-maintain flowers and shrubbery you can add that’ll give your yard a fresh look. It’s a good plan to consult a gardener or horticulturist for ideas.
Apply Fresh Paint
Over time, weather will make your exterior’s paint look dull. Repainting is one of the most cost-effective things you can do to increase your property’s rental appeal.
When painting the outside of your property, you should hire a professional who will use the best paint and do a great job. Beyond counteracting normal wear and tear, repainting can also change the look and style of your property’s exterior for the better.
Update Your Front Door
The front door is one of the main focal points of your property. It’s what bridges the exterior with the interior, and it must therefore be inviting.
Evaluate the condition of your front door. If it’s looking a little dull, maybe all it needs is a fresh coat of paint. Perhaps you need to replace the hinges or locks. It’s also possible that it’s time to replace the front door altogether. Your front door shouldn’t only look good, but it should be sturdy so that your tenants feel safe.
Add Color
Bright colors are an easy and inexpensive way to grab people’s attention. Differentiating your property with a splash of color will make it stand out from other properties.
Good ways to add color are with a vibrant mailbox, front door, house plate, outdoor furnishings, or flowers.
Step Up the Lighting
Don’t neglect how your property looks at night. Maybe your curb appeal is attractive during the daytime, but without good lighting, your property’s nighttime curb appeal will suffer.
Good lighting by the front door, garage, and pathways can make the property look stylish and safer. You may even want to consider additional outdoor lighting, such as solar-powered lights lining a pathway.
Have a Routine Cleaning Schedule
You should have a regular schedule for cleaning rental properties, both interior and exterior. Make sure your porch, driveway, and yard are clear of debris, leaves, and twigs. Don’t forget to set aside time to power wash your driveway, walkways, and siding. More regular tasks should include cleaning windows, wiping down outdoor furniture, and removing cobwebs from light fixtures. Staying on top of routine cleaning will make your rentals appear polished.
Conclusion
Great curb appeal is essential for attracting prospective tenants and getting them excited about your property before they even see the inside. There are a lot of simple yet effective ways you can boost your properties’ curb appeal. By ensuring the exterior of your rentals are well-maintained, clean, memorable, and inviting, you’ll be able to increase interest in your properties and fill your vacancies sooner.
