Your property’s front yard is its first impression, and this impression when it comes to attracting prospective renters to your open house. With just a little sprucing up, your yard can transform into an inviting, tranquil space. Increase the curb appeal of your property and gather more interest from tenants by using these tips.
Add Greenery
Dead plants and a patchy lawn make you look careless, and are sure to deter tenants. Make your home look warm and inviting by adding a little greenery. Consider simple landscaping including a lawn, a small garden, and trees to appeal to renters. If you don’t have a green thumb, consult a landscaper to design an elegant yard. Expert landscapers can create a yard that fits in your budget, so it’s both beautiful and cost-effective. You may even consider planting native flora to conserve water and compliment the natural landscape. If you live in a desert climate, this can include natural blush, vibrant desert flowers, cacti, and succulents. When you renovate the yard, you can hire a gardener and offset the cost by including it with the rent.
Power Wash the Outside
Your property doesn’t always need a new coat of paint. If you’ve painted your home within the last five years, try power washing it instead. The exterior of your home is constantly exposed to the elements, so it easily collects dirt and grime. Hire someone to power wash your home or rent the washer yourself so you can deep clean every nook and cranny of your property. Your property will look as good as new without a costly paint job.
Install Better Lighting
A dark home looks ominous and uninviting, but a well-lit home draws people in. If you have outdated porch lights, give them an upgrade. Install a porch light with brushed glass to soften the light and give your porch a pleasant glow. Avoid harsh overhead lighting and bulbs that give off blue, green, or orange light.
Paint the Front Door
Painting your front door is a simple way to make your rental pop. Choose a bold hue that compliments the color of the rest of your home, like a yellow exterior with a blue door. Exterior paint is typically no more than 30 dollars a gallon, and one gallon might be more than enough to make your door stand out.
Sweep Your Porch
Porches gather a lot of dirt and debris. Before you hold an open house, sweep your porch of any leaves, cobwebs, and trash before hosing it off. If your porch is made of wood, check for any wood rot and replace boards if necessary. Complete your porch with a welcome mat to draw people in.
Repair Cracks
If your walkway is worn or cracked, it might be time to make some repairs. Weather, tree roots, and earthquakes can cause fissures and bumps in your walkway, and it can make your yard look untidy. If your walkway is weathered and worn, replace it. Are you on a budget? Hire someone to demolish your concrete driveway and replace it with stepping stones. Fixing up problem areas like these can transform your bottom line, and as this piece on new landlord tips indicates, be instrumental in setting the right rental rates.
Add Simple Accents
When it comes to completing your yard, the devil is in the details. Replace the welcome mat, add hanging planters, or install a porch swing to pull your yard together. Already have a table and chairs on your deck? Add some pillows to complete the space. If you have a large front deck and no backyard, add a charcoal grill or an outdoor fireplace.
Start with curb appeal to attract the best tenants. Whether you need to add a few planters or repave the walkway, you’ll draw more renters if you renovate your yard.
