Why is ‘Curb Appeal” such a big deal when trying to rent your property rented? We are glad you asked. This blog is a short primer on why the outside of your property matters almost as much as the inside!
Thinking you may want to rent the property out? Looking for professional management services? It’s a great market to do so, call us today, that’s what we do.
While HGTV gets great ratings on shows that talk about staging the INTERIOR of your property… we want to raise a quick flag about making sure the EXTERIOR of your property is equally considered when selling your property.
Sadly, people do judge books by their covers. And renters will PRE-judge your interior before ever seeing inside if they are taken back by the exterior. So let’s talk about some essentials.
What is Curb Appeal?
First, let’s agree on what exactly is curb appeal. In its most straightforward form, curb appeal is a subjective appreciation for a physical asset. Specifically, this refers to the level of attractiveness one may feel for a property when viewing it from the street. The house presents itself well, and all of the typical components are in place: the yard is well-kept, the paint is vibrant, the siding looks good, the roof is intact, and things are in order. Curb appeal sets expectations. Prospective renters are more inclined to look inside if they like what they see on the outside.
Everyone wants their property to have a “wow” factor… but let’s be honest; not every property will have that “wow” factor. But, at a minimum, your property shouldn’t turn off a vast majority of renters. So, in many regards, our job here is to minimize any negative elements.
Don’t be overwhelmed…most of these improvements aren’t too difficult.
Driveway
Driveways full of weeds or cracks won’t present your property in the best light. Fixing this can be as easy as a bottle of weed spray and twenty minutes of labor.
Roof
Few features will either turn away or attract prospective buyers more than a property’s roof. If the roof is old and has only a few years left, you will receive a positive return on your money by replacing it and trying to sell the property for a higher price. If the buyer doesn’t get a HUGE discount, they won’t want to spend to replace the roof. It is an option for the owner, but we like to keep our clients getting top dollar even if it requires them investing some money before the sale.
Landscaping
Landscaping improvements can be as simple or as complex as you want to make them. Start with the grass and go from there. Then you should focus on the area immediately nearest to the house. A fresh layer of mulch can completely transform a property’s exterior. Our advice to get a full picture of the property’s curb appeal, drive down your street, and take note of the first thing that stands out upon pulling up. These items are what others will notice, as well.
Exterior
In addition to the roof, you also should look at the siding and exterior of the property itself. A dirty exterior is something that should not be ignored. Power washing a deck or the siding of your property won’t take very long but will have a significant impact.
Front Door
Instead of replacing the door entirely, start by seeing if a fresh coat of paint will be enough to give it an updated look. If you are looking for a more permanent fix, a new door is certainly money well spent and will come with an impressive (Return On Investment) ROI.
Consider this an overview of where we focus when preparing a home for market – and we complete all of these steps for an owner wanting to sell his rental as well. A small amount of effort on your property’s curb appeal will pay off where it matters most: your profit!
Thinking of flipping an existing rental or renting out your property?
Want some advice on what direction to go? Call us, or fill out this form, that’s what we do.
