How to Boost Your Rental Property’s Curb Appeal

An individual considering renting a house usually has formed an impression of the property based on what they see from the outside before they enter the building when looking to move in. 

The “curb appeal” (how a property looks from the outside) of a rental unit can contribute to a person deciding if they want to go see the property, whether they even value it, and if they trust the management company to manage the property well.

For property owners/developers/investors, curb appeal is more than an exercise in aesthetics. It also provides a means to enhance vacancy timeframes and the level of tenant quality and rental rates over time through solid long-term operations.

Dawson Property Management can show you how property owners can effectively improve the curb appeal of their rental properties in order to attract more qualified potential renters while reducing overall unit vacancy times and improving the long-term operational performance of their rental properties.

The Importance of Curb Appeal

The first impression potential renters have of a rental property is often based on curb appeal, before they even see the property physically, as they will see the listing and the photographs before they schedule a showing.

Having a visually-appealing property can lead to faster turnaround time in leases, higher perceived value, better quality of applicants, and short wait periods until the unit is rented.

Begin with Landscaping Care

Landscaping has always been one of the most visible aspects of curb appeal. If a property has an unkempt lawn or overgrown foliage, it gives the impression of neglect to a potential renter. 

Landlords should evaluate the condition of the grass, maintenance of shrubs, amount of weed growth, amount of tree trimming needed, and condition of flowerbeds. Some examples of minor improvements are fresh mulch, edged lawn, seasonal flowers, neatly trimmed shrubs, and removal of dead, diseased, or invasive plants.

Refreshing the Front Door

Rental homes often have a front door that is a focal point (visual center point). As such, a bad front entrance wears its visual aspect down, causing less total property value to be perceived. 

An improvement in the front entrance can be achieved through the use of fresh paint, new door hardware, contemporary house numbers, exterior or porch lights, and clean welcome mats. Neutral colours tend to perform better in terms of appeal and usability of the door. Overall, a front door is the cheapest way to improve the overall appearance of the exterior.

Exterior Lighting Enhancement

Lighting serves both an action-based need and an aesthetic function. Poorly lit exterior properties will not be perceived as

inviting or safe.

Some examples of enhancements to  existing (poor) exterior lighting include porch, pathway, motion detection, garage, and landscape lighting. Good lighting will enable good visual accessibility for evening showings and enhance the total appeal of a property.

Pressure Wash Exterior Surfaces

Over time, exterior surfaces accumulate dirt, mildew, stains, and debris. Pressure washing often produces dramatic improvements at relatively low cost. Areas commonly needing attention include sidewalks, driveways, siding, brick surfaces, patios, and fences. Clean surfaces instantly make properties appear newer and better maintained. Landlords are often surprised by how significantly cleanliness alone improves curb appeal. Professional pressure washing may be especially valuable before photography or showings.

Repair Visible Damage Immediately

Prospective tenants frequently notice deferred maintenance. Even minor issues may create negative assumptions regarding landlord responsiveness and indicate that the property is not rent-ready. Be on top of damage like cracked walkways, loose railings, damaged fencing, broken gutters, missing shingles, and chipped paint. Landlords should address these problems before listing the property.

Choose a Strategic Outdoor Color Scheme

One of the most cost-effective renovations you can do is simply paint. Color creates warmth and gives your property a balanced look. Too much decoration or a bold landscaping style may limit the property’s appeal. Many curb appeal professionals will limit the use of color and focus instead on potted plants, seasonal flowers, neutral outdoor decor, and coordinated entryway accents. 

The goal is to create warm, inviting settings without a lot of clutter. Small amounts of color added to the property can create a warm and inviting presentation for showings or listing photos.

Ensure Proper Maintenance of Roofs and Gutters

Most prospective tenants do not closely inspect the roof. However, visible signs of neglect on the roof can negatively influence a potential tenant’s perception. Landlords should inspect the entire roof area, including missing shingles, dirty gutters, roof staining, and poor drainage.

If gutters are overflowing or roofs are visibly deteriorated, this may indicate larger maintenance problems with the building. Preventive maintenance enhances the appearance of your property and provides greater long-term protection for your investment.

Upgrade your Fencing and Gates

If you have an outdoor space, your fence can really affect how attractive your property will be to tenants. Fences that are damaged or falling apart can create a negative perception of privacy and can impact aesthetic appeal. 

Landlords should improve their fences by repainting, repairing damaged panels, and cleaning gates and surfaces. Privacy is a large factor in selling points for families and pet owners. Having well-maintained fences will allow landlords to rent for more money!

Make Parking Attractive

Driveways/parking spaces play an important role when it comes to the overall impression of a property. If a driveway or parking area has cracked/stained surfaces, the rest of the house may appear to be less well-maintained.

Some ways to improve driveways/parking areas include driveway repairs, oil stain removal, repainting parking lines, and removing debris. In addition, the cleanliness of parking areas will affect tenant satisfaction at multifamily properties.

Final Thoughts

Dawson Property Management can tell you the best way for landlords to improve their chances of leasing more properties to bigger, better-quality, long-term tenants, and with the expected long-term property performance, is by increasing the “curb appeal” of their rental units. 

The exterior of the building creates a first impression and has a direct bearing on how potential tenants assess the value of the unit. It often determines if the potential tenant wants to further view the rental.