10 Tips to Boost Autumn Curb Appeal and Attract Potential Renters
Seasonal maintenance is essential for all rental properties. That said, as we continue into the fall season, landlords must think about autumn curb appeal. The first thing prospective renters notice about a rental property is the exterior. If there’s no curb appeal, chances are they already have an opinion on the property. As such, it’s important to think of ways to boost autumn curb appeal and attract new renters this season. Read along as we go over ten tips for landlords.
Contents of This Article:
- Why Does Autumn Curb Appeal Matter?
- 10 Tips for Improving Autumn Curb Appeal
- 5 Tips for the Perfect Rental Open House
- How Can Property Management Help Maintain Your Rentals?
Why Does Autumn Curb Appeal Matter?
Curb appeal is essential throughout any season. However, if the exterior of your rental property needs some sprucing up, fall is a great time to get it done. The first thing any prospective tenant will see is the exterior of your rental property, so it’s crucial to put time and effort toward your autumn curb appeal.
Ultimately, you could have the most beautiful rental home interior, but some prospective renters will never get past the unkempt front yard. So, if you’re putting any of your rental properties on the market this fall, spend some time sprucing up your autumn curb appeal. Read along as we go over ten simple ways to improve your rental property.
10 Tips for Improving Autumn Curb Appeal
There are several ways you can improve your property’s autumn curb appeal. Just a few simple steps can give your rental property the tune-up it needs. So, if you’re looking to make minor property improvements this fall to attract new renters, here are ten tips to consider.
- Clean Up the Lawn
- Gather the Leaves
- Trim and Prune Shrubs
- Pressure Wash the Driveway and Sidewalks
- Clean the Gutters
- Freshen Up Exterior Lighting
- Consider Repainting
- Add Seasonal Flowers
- Protect Plants with Mulch
- Keep Decor Simple
Clean Up the Lawn
A general lawn clean-up is a good starting place for improving autumn curb appeal. The lawn of your properties matters because a nice-looking yard adds to curb appeal and helps attract potential renters. So, take some time each season to walk through the lawn and pick up debris and foliage that have fallen to the ground.
Additionally, fall is an excellent time to assess the quality of your lawn. If you need to re-seed and adjust the soil composition for your lawn, fall is a good time to make changes. As such, check your lawn for bare patches or uneven growth.
Gather the Leaves
Fallen leaves are pretty, but large piles of leaves can hinder grass growth in your yard. That said, if you want to keep your lawn as healthy as possible, it’s crucial to gather the leaves and bag them up.
Trim and Prune Shrubs
If your properties have bushes or shrubs in the lawn, fall is a great time to trim them up. Taking care of them before winter can ensure a healthy start to the next season. Additionally, pruning shrubs and bushes to get rid of dead foliage can help reduce the risk of plant disease.
Furthermore, ice and harsh winter conditions can affect trees and shrubs, causing branches to break loose and cause damage. So, before the season changes, check for dead branches and areas that need trimming.
Pressure Wash the Driveway and Sidewalks
Over time, consistent use of sidewalks and driveways can lead to dingy-looking concrete surfaces. That said, a good pressure washing is an easy way to spruce up the look of your driveway and sidewalks.
Hiring maintenance to pressure wash concrete surfaces at your properties or renting a pressure washer is a quick and effective way to clean and refresh sidewalks. A prospective renter will first notice the driveway and sidewalks–and even the most minor details can make a difference.
Clean the Gutters
As the leaves come down throughout fall, it doesn’t take long for gutters to fill up and overflow. Unfortunately, if you don’t address a gutter issue right away, it can cause water damage to the roof or siding of your rental property.
Inspecting your roof while cleaning your gutters each season doesn’t hurt. After all, you can take care of two tasks at once by clearing out your gutters and checking the roof for any potential issues.
Freshen Up Exterior Lighting
By the end of summer, exterior light bulbs may be burnt out or dulled with dirt and grime. As such, if you want to tidy things up and brighten up exterior lighting, clean glass fixtures and replace any burnt-out bulbs.
Consider Repainting
If you notice peeling paint around the property or want to touch up the door, trim, or other parts of the property, now’s the time to do it. A little touch-up can make a huge difference–and even score you a new tenant.
Additionally, if you’re feeling like adding a pop of color to your rental property, consider updating the front door to an appealing, fun color. However, if you go this route, make sure the door is a modern, attractive color that’s high-quality and goes well with the rest of the home.
Add Seasonal Flowers
Flowers bloom throughout all seasons. So, now’s the time to switch out your summer flowers with bright fall bloomers like Mums or dahlias. However, try to keep colors simple and stick to similar plant combinations.
Additionally, depending on where your properties are, fall is an excellent time to plant new shrubbery. If you plan to plant shrubs, make sure you water them thoroughly and aerate the soil well. If you need help landscaping your rental properties, contact your local rental property management in Fairfax and find a trusted contractor.
Protect Plants with Mulch
Mulch is great for several reasons–it keeps your garden beds clean and protects your landscaping. In addition, newer plants benefit from a bit of protection from the colder weather. So, as winter approaches, it’s crucial to lay down mulch to cover plants and keep them warm.
Keep Decor Simple
It’s fun to decorate your personal home with fall decor like pumpkins and bales of hay. However, you’ll want to keep the decor simple for your rental properties. After all, your goal is to attract any renter, and obnoxious decor can deter some people from your properties. So, if you’re going to add any decor to the exterior of your rental, keep it simple and tasteful.
5 Tips for the Perfect Rental Open House
Aside from sprucing up your rental property’s curb appeal, fall is the perfect time for an open house. After all, many people are looking for new housing during this time of year. So, if you’re thinking of inviting prospective renters in to view your property, here are some tips to keep in mind.
- Schedule Convenient Times- Try to schedule times that can work for a lot of people. For instance, Saturdays and Sundays during the day, from 12 pm to 3 pm, are good times to host an open house.
- Clean Inside and Outside Your Rental- You’ll want to prepare your property for in-person viewing. So, spend a few days deep-cleaning the inside and outside of your rental properties before an open house.
- Spread the Word- To spread the word as much as possible, post about your open house on social media and post flyers wherever possible. Make sure to include some basic information about the property and the date and time of your open house.
- Get Guest’s Contact Information- If you want to keep in contact with prospective renters, ensure you get their contact information at the open house. You can easily create an email mailing list to keep all your guests updated on future rentals and open houses.
- Follow Up with Prospective Tenants- After the open house, don’t forget to follow up with those who gave you contact information. Let them know when you’ve gotten their application and update them throughout the tenant selection process.
How Can Property Management Help Maintain Your Rentals?
Hiring rental management is the easiest way to keep up with your autumn curb appeal and property maintenance. Comprehensive rental management services can help ensure your properties look top-notch all year round.
If you’re looking for a full-service rental management team to assist with property maintenance, tenant screening, rent collection, and more, contact BMG today. Our skilled team of professionals works with landlords and tenants to ensure the best rental experience for everyone.
Bay Property Management Group offers comprehensive rental management services in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC.
