First impressions matter. In fact, 34 percent of renters report relying on walking or driving around neighborhoods as a strategy for looking for an apartment, according to a recent renter survey by Apartments.com.
Whether it’s to catch the eye of a prospective renter exploring your neighborhood or maintain the interest of a renter stopping by for an in-person tour, your property’s curb appeal plays an important role in filling your vacancies.
What can you do to ensure your property’s exterior is drawing in more renters than it’s turning away? Try these nine strategies to give your curb appeal a lift.
1. Prioritize building maintenance
A well-maintained building doesn’t just look better than a rundown property, but it also gives residents a clear message about your community’s priorities. Residents looking at an apartment building with visible wear and tear will wonder how their own maintenance requests will be handled when they move in. Make sure all maintenance issues are examined and resolved on a regular basis, including gutter cleaning, roof repair, and drain inspection.
2. Wash exteriors
There’s nothing like a good scrub to remove the buildup of dust and dirt and make your building shine. Wash your community’s exteriors on a regular basis, from power-washing walls to cleaning windows. Regular cleaning will help your property stay attractive throughout the year.
3. Freshen up your landscaping
Attractive plants and flowers can make your community look more inviting to potential residents. Whether it’s a well-manicured lawn or a few well-placed flower planters for a pop of color, appealing landscaping can show off your property.
4. Maintain hardscapes
It’s not just landscaping that makes a difference — hardscapes are important, too! Don’t forget to maintain the parking lots, pavements, and walkways throughout your community. Restore cracks and damage in asphalt and concrete, hose down your sidewalks on a regular basis, and freshen up the paint marking lanes and individual parking spots.
5. Keep your community litter-free
Stray pieces of litter and garbage can tarnish your community’s curb appeal and convey a sense of disorder and uncleanliness to potential residents.
Make sure that any litter and garbage in outdoor and common spaces is immediately picked up, and store your community’s dumpsters out of sight. Place accessible trash cans in high-traffic areas, like along walkways and near your pool, to encourage residents to dispose of waste appropriately.
If your community is pet-friendly, always offer doggy waste disposal bins near green spaces and dog parks or relief areas.
And remember to empty bins regularly to reduce unpleasant smells and reduce the chance of waste spilling out.
6. Repaint and touch up regularly
Depending on your building materials and local weather conditions, your property’s exterior may need to be repainted every five to 10 years. Not only can a fresh paint job help your building look well-maintained and stylish, but it can also help protect the outer surface of your building from deterioration.
7. Revamp your leasing office
As one of the first places your prospects will visit, your leasing office plays an important part in your community’s curb appeal. Clearly identify the building to help future residents find it, and make sure the inside and outside are attractive and in good repair.
For more ways to freshen up this essential space, check out five ways to create a great first impression in your leasing office.
8. Brighten up your lighting
Appropriate lighting can show off your building night and day. Whether renters are driving by at night or stopping for a late afternoon tour in the winter months, your building should be visible and easy to navigate. Use sufficient lighting to showcase signage, footpaths, and your parking lot. Make sure your leasing office and common areas are also well lit.
Don’t forget: Appropriate lighting isn’t just a question of aesthetics and visibility. As a safety issue, lighting can also reduce the chance of accidents and improve prospects’ — and current residents’ — sense of security.
9. Use visible signage
What was the name of that beautiful apartment community you just drove by? Clear signage is essential in advertising your community to renters in your local area. Display your community name in large, visible type so potential renters can easily remember and find you again. Use contrastive colors to make the text readable even from a distance.
Want more tips?
Check out these ideas for showing off your community to future residents:
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