To give your rental the best chance of standing out from the rest, try to consider more than just the obvious tactics. Interior improvements such as installing hardwood flooring, new light fixtures, and durable countertops are a great way to increase the value of and return on your investment, but what about curb appeal? Your property’s curb appeal may not be top of mind if your main focus is the unit’s interior, but remember that a renter’s first impression of your property in person will be from the outside. They may have been drawn to your property’s high-quality photos, property description, or video tours of the interior online, but curb appeal can help you seal the deal.
Five Ways to Make Your Rental Property Stand Out
If you want potential tenants to choose your rental over another and feel at home in the space, here are our top five ways to make your rental property stand out through great curb appeal.
1. Wash the rental’s exterior
If cost-effective curb appeal is the name of your game, then washing the exterior of your rental property is a great first step. If you don’t own a pressure washer or know someone willing to let you borrow, you can easily rent one from your local hardware store. Pressure washing your unit’s exterior will remove any dirt, bugs, and debris that might be dimming your property’s potential. A fresh and clean home will surely get the attention of any potential renters touring your place.
2. Keep up with yard maintenance
If you have a yard or a garden, it’s vital to maintain it. Potential tenants may be deterred from your rental if they arrive to find a yard full of weeds and dead flowers. After you’ve cleaned up the weeds and any dead flowers or plants, fix any spots in the yard that have become bare due to high foot traffic or animals. To step it up a notch, try out our eight eco-friendly lawn and garden maintenance tips that cover everything from lawn clippings to deep watering. Afterwards, remove any outdated or damaged items from the yard that potentially take away from the rental’s curb appeal, including old decorations, grills, or garbage bins.
3. Update the rental’s exterior
A few simple exterior upgrades will have your property looking good as new. Painting is the best way to liven up your investment, whether it be a few touch ups or painting the complete exterior. Updated sconces and lighting fixtures are another way to modernize your unit. Out with the old — in with the new. If your front door is showing its age, consider buying a new one. If you aren’t ready for that commitment, consider giving the front door a fresh coat of paint, new house numbers, and hanging a decorative wreath. These budget-friendly updates may not seem like much, but they’re sure to have an sizeable impact on a renter’s first impression.
4. Upgrade the security features
Since we all want to feel safe in our homes, your rental property’s security features are very important and may also be a great selling point. Consider installing upgraded security features like a video doorbell system, motion sensor exterior lights, an electric door lock, and a brand-new mailbox with a lock and key. These additions may be more costly than cleaning up the front yard, but they have a decent life span and will show potential renters that you care about your property and your tenants.
5. Invest in hardscaping features
Since you got rid of any outdated or damaged furniture and décor on the exterior, it’s time to freshen things up with some new hardscaping features. Hardscaping includes the permanent elements in landscaping. These features can be simple and budget friendly like concrete or decorative stone walkways or more upscale like swimming pools, gazebos, and outdoor furniture. For instance, if your rental property has a patio or a front-facing deck, adding some well-placed furniture can easily increase the curb appeal of your investment.
What Are the Benefits of Great Curb Appeal?
Many landlords prioritize interior upgrades and renovations, but the exterior of your rental is just as important. It’s the first thing a potential tenant sees when they arrive for a property tour, and it’s the last thing they’ll glance at before they leave. Exterior upgrades increase the value of your property just like interior ones do, so you have the opportunity to charge competitively for rent and increase your rental income if your property becomes highly sought after.
Pressure washing the exterior, touching up the paint or giving the exterior a fresh coat, maintaining the yard and garden, adding new security features, and investing in hardscaping like outdoor furniture will help increase your curb appeal. A rental property with any of these features and upgrades will likely gain attention from potential tenants, so if you’re hoping to stand out from the competition in your market, invest in great curb appeal. Once you've put in the work to make your property stand out, don't be scared to show it off! When you list your property with Apartments.com, it will be shown on all twelve of our network sites with exposure to millions of renters every month. Show off photos of your rental and unique features, and fill your vacancy fast.
