Summer starts officially on Sunday, and the warm weather, or promise of it, has people from Seattle to San Diego to Sarasota scrutinizing the outdoor look of their house as much as the inside. For property managers seeking to rent out a home or apartment, curb appeal, added amenities, and a tidy exterior are just as important as if the space were up for sale. Here are some quick fix tips to help spruce up the outer beauty of your property and make it that much more marketable as rental season rockets.
1. Shrubs, flowers and potted plants, oh my!
(Photo by: Spixey )
Flora and greenery of all kinds are a welcome way to brighten up a dour looking front stoop. Rows of plants or pots create boundaries for space, making a lawn or porch look more organized, welcoming and colorful.Conversely, if you have more foliage than you know what to do with, do some trimming and weeding to make things more tidy. A quick consultation from a landscaping professional might make all the difference in presentation.
2. Paint, the great equalizer
(Photo by: favouritethings )
While paint can’t solve all of a property’s problems, it can help when things are looking a little droopy. Paint the front door of your property a bright contrasting color; touch up trim, or accents on the exterior of the house; repaint the deck to match the building–any of these can be the eye-brightening revision needed to perk up an otherwise boring exterior.
2. Reduce, reuse, recycle, repeat, reduce, reuse, recycle…
(Photo by: naotakem )
Find some repurposable materials or old furniture to brighten up your outdoor space. Whether it needs a fresh coat of paint (see above), some new cushions, or a few hours of DIY fixing up, unusual and unique outdoor furnishings can add a focal point to your front yard or outdoor space and create added allure for the property. Remember though, if you leave these items as part of the rental property, be prepared for them to be used.
4. Create a room…outdoors!
(Photo by: midnightlounge )
Create a space tenants will want to use outdoors. Whether it’s a clean and tidy private deck, or a more spacious common area, make it a place worth using and it will add to the value and appeal of the property. Furniture is always a handy addition to outdoor common areas, as well as lights, umbrellas and perhaps even a barbecue.
5. Make your space fun for all ages
(Photo by: anne.oeldorf )
If you are working with a large space, particularly with multifamily properties, consider adding something for children. Play spaces will always get used, and for many families, an onsite place to go and run around, jump, climb and generally be rambunctious might be just the added bonus they need.
There are many things to be done to the exterior of a property from a small coat of paint, to installing a value-adding amenity that can brighten it up and make it sparkle. Have fun with the exterior of your property, and welcome summer with a new outdoor perspective!
