How to Boost Your Rental Property’s Curb Appeal
Key Takeaways
- Curb Appeal Impacts Tenant Interest: A well-maintained exterior creates a strong first impression that attracts quality tenants, while a neglected appearance can deter potential renters.
- Simple Improvements Go a Long Way: Actions like power washing surfaces, updating landscaping, painting walls in neutral tones, and enhancing lighting can significantly boost a property's exterior appeal with relatively low investment.
- Small Details Matter: Clean windows, updated fixtures, visible house numbers, and a tidy entryway all signal attentive property care and can elevate the overall perception of the rental.
Whether you’re a seasoned landlord or a complete newbie, you’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal.” But what exactly does it mean? It refers to the overall appeal of a property’s exterior.
It includes elements such as landscaping, the entryway, the condition of the walls, lighting, walkways, and even small details like doors, shutters, or house numbers.
An enhanced curb appeal can create a strong first impression on potential tenants and boost profitability. A poorly maintained curb appeal, on the other hand, can drive prospective tenants away. After all, no one wants to live in a property that looks like it isn’t regularly maintained.
If you want to learn how to make a good first impression and attract quality tenants, then keep reading! In this article, from
Keller n’ Jadd Property Management, we'll go over the best tips and tricks for boosting a rental property’s curb appeal!
Power Wash All Surfaces
It’s normal for dirt and grime to accumulate over time. However, a property that looks extremely dirty won’t be attractive to tenants.
That’s why you should aim to deep clean the exterior of your rental at least twice a year. Power washing is great for cleaning surfaces that accumulate tons of dirt every day, such as driveways, sidewalks, fences, and even walls
It’s a quick and easy way to improve the appeal of your property and show tenants that you are a dedicated landlord.
Improve the Landscaping
Landscaping can be leveraged to highlight your property’s best features and hide small details you wouldn’t want tenants to see. On the other hand, overgrown bushes, dead plants, and dry, leafless trees will only make your property look bad and scare potential tenants away.
After all, many renters see poor landscaping as a clear sign to tenants that the landlord doesn’t take much care of their property. If you want to fill your vacancies quickly, you must invest some time and money in landscaping.
Whether you hire a professional or DIY it, make sure to keep the lawn well-trimmed, water the plants regularly, and prune trees and bushes frequently.
Maintaining the landscaping is a year-round task. So, you’ll need to invest in
preventive and maintenance services throughout the year.
Additionally, you must ensure tenants understand and fulfill their landscaping responsibilities, such as mowing the grass and raking fallen leaves. Your combined efforts can go a long way in maintaining the value and attractiveness of your rental.
Paint the Walls
Chipped paint or dirty walls are a common sign of poor maintenance or underlying issues like moisture and mold build-up. That’s why most tenants stay away from properties with paint issues. On top of this, certain color choices, especially bright and unusual colors, can drive tenants away.
If you want your rental to attract a wide pool of tenants, you need to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Neutral colors, like white, gray, and beige shades, are a safe bet.
While tenants will appreciate the look of new paint, they won’t dwell much on the color choice and instead focus on other key aspects of your home. Additionally, you should consider allowing tenants to paint the walls. This will not only help you refresh the curb appeal but can also
enhance tenant satisfaction!
Improve the Lightning
Lighting can completely change the look and feel of a space. Good lighting can help you frame or accentuate the most appealing features of your rental. Inadequate lightning or lack of lightning at all will make it challenging for your unit to stand out, both in person and in pictures.
So, make sure to invest in quality light bulbs for the exterior of the property, like motion-activated LED lights or accent lights near entrances or along the entryway. This will boost the property’s charm and create a more welcoming environment for tenants.
Clean the Windows
This may sound overkill, but cleaning the windows can make your property significantly more attractive.
Tenants always keep an eye out for the small details. If everything on sight is pristine, except for the windows, prospective renters will think that you’re a careless landlord. So, make sure to pay attention to those small details!
Inspect the Foundation
To a certain level, it’s normal for some cracks to appear on a property’s foundation over time.
Typically, vertical cracks are a minor issue, caused by the natural movement of the structure, and can easily be repaired using epoxy or polyurethane injections.
Horizontal cracks, on the other hand, are often a sign of a bigger problem and require extensive repairs. However, most tenants won’t be able to tell the difference.
If you spot any cracks or other problems in your property’s foundation, address them immediately, even if they’re small, cosmetic issues. It’s better to be safe than to accidentally scare tenants because they think your property is going to fall apart.
Focus on the Small Details
Small details can make a big impact on curb appeal. Fresh paint, clean windows, trimmed shrubs, and a clean driveway are all signs that the property is well cared for. However, if the property also has outdated or worn-out fixtures, it may turn tenants off.
Small details like installing new house numbers, swapping out old fixtures, installing new shutters, and replacing old hardware are a cost-effective yet powerful way to
attract quality tenants and increase the perceived value of your rental.
Bottom Line
First impressions matter greatly in real estate. If tenants don’t like what they see, they’ll turn around and keep browsing their options. A property with a refreshed curb appeal is much more inviting, helping you attract a wider pool of tenants and fill your vacancies.
By deep cleaning the property, landscaping, painting the walls, and focusing on the small details, you can give your rental a much-needed competitive boost!
Need help enhancing the look and feel of your Nevada rental? Contact
Keller n' Jadd Realty & Management!
