Boost Your Rental's Curb Appeal and Attract Tenants

Curb appeal is a great way to draw attention to your home and attract potential tenants. After all, the first impression your potential tenants will have is of the front of your home. Fortunately, boosting curb appeal can be fairly easy, on both you and your pocketbook. You don’t have to make extravagant changes, unless they are really needed. Even small upgrades can go a long way in boosting your rental’s exterior.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can boost your curb appeal on your rental home and potentially attract more tenants.

Why Does Curb Appeal Matter for Rental Properties?

You might be wondering, why does curb appeal matter in a rental property? Here are a few of the top reasons why you should pay special attention to your curb appeal:

1. First Impressions Count

You only get one first impression. If potential tenants are put off by the outside of your house, they most likely won’t give the inside a chance. You could have the best house on the block, newly renovated with great updates, but if your tenants aren’t getting past the front door, it simply doesn’t matter.

2. Attracting Quality Tenants

A nice-looking home can help to attract tenants who are looking for a place to call home. And having your property in great condition and looking its best can help to set the standard for the residents as well, they may be more inclined to treat the property right.

3. Increase Property Value

Curb appeal can help increase your property value. Regardless of if you plan to sell or continue renting it out, an increased property value is never a bad thing. Small changes can have a big impact on your property value.

4. Helps Your Property Stand Out

With so much competition it can be easy to get lost. Having that little extra something can help set your property apart and help you stand out.

7 Ways to Boost Your Rental's Curb Appeal

Now let’s get to look at some of the simple ways you can boost your curb appeal:

Upgrade the Landscape

Nothing is quite as attractive as a nice landscaped yard. This doesn’t mean you have to rip up the entire yard or do some elaborate landscaping, even a simple, nicely manicured yard will do just fine. Having a well-groomed yard can go a long way in improving your home’s curb appeal. This can be achieved by ensuring all bushes and trees are trimmed, the lawn is mowed regularly and weeds are kept to a minimum. You might also consider adding fresh mulch and easy to care for plants for an easy way to give a clean and simple upgrade to your yard.

If you decide to add to your landscape, be sure to choose easy to maintain greenery or annual flowers that don’t require much upkeep. You’ll want to look for plants that do well in your climate, and don’t require too much watering or care. You should also try to keep bushes and shrubs a fair distance from your house. Not only can bushes and shrubs cause damage to your paint or siding, they also retain a lot of moisture which can be a maintenance nightmare for your home.

Looking for some rental friendly landscaping ideas? Consider reading Born Without a Green Thumb? Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas, for some easy, low-maintenance ideas!

Tidy Up the Yard

It may sound simple, but a clean and tidy yard can be one of the easiest ways to boost your curb appeal and draw some positive attention. While you might appreciate a good lawn ornament or two, your tenants might not share the same enthusiasm. Consider keeping your lawn decorations to simple things such as potted flowers. Be sure to put away all seasonal lawn furniture or other items that could be seen as clutter. Keep all sidewalks and walkways clear from debris and well-trimmed. Store garbage cans out of sight as well.

Consider Your Lighting

Be sure to consider your nighttime curb-appeal as well. Lighting is important, especially in the dark and gloomy months of winter. Consider your porch light, is it bright enough or still functioning properly? Perhaps a simple upgrade could help your exterior to look its best, and improve the safety around the exterior as well. You might also consider adding some lights to the walkway or if you have a dark driveway, some additional lighting might be a welcome addition. Not only is lighting attractive, it can be a safety bonus for many as it can help illuminate the dark shadows and eliminate dark places. It can also make your home feel more inviting and add a sense of comfort.

Looking for some cost-effective lighting options? We’ve got you! Here are a few different ways you could potentially save some money with lighting options.

• LED Lighting: LED bulbs are known to be energy-efficient options that you might want to consider for your rental. They consume less energy, making them cost effective and attractive to tenants and landlords alike. If possible, find LED light bulb options for your rental home. You can look for LED lighting that comes in warm colors to add a cozy glow to the exterior of your home.

• Solar Lights: Solar lights are another popular option for lighting options since they cost nothing to operate. Solar lights are also easy to install and maintain since they require no wiring or finagling. Of course, it is important to note that solar lights would only make sense in an area that receives adequate amounts of sun.

• Shop the Discounts: Finally, another way to save in the lighting department is to shop for discounts and purchase light fixtures that have been discounted instead of those at full price. You can often snag a great deal on a discounted item simply because it has been discontinued.

Do Simple Routine Maintenance

Simple routine outdoor maintenance can go a long way in boosting your home’s curb appeal. It might not be the most fun thing to tackle, but overtime the maintenance will help keep your home in good condition and prevent minor issues from becoming bigger. While your tenants might not notice the maintenance such as keeping your gutters clean and roof free from debris, they will notice that your gutters don’t run over in a rainstorm and that your roof doesn’t leak and that can be attractive in its own way. Here are some other simple maintenance items to consider:

• Check for peeling or cracking paint

• Check exterior caulking

• Check drainage

• Remove weeds and debris from base of house

• Clean and make repairs to decks

• Check gutters and downspouts

• Ensure downspouts are draining properly

Looking for more outdoor maintenance tips? Consider reading Fall Maintenance Tips for Your Rental Property for an extensive list of maintenance ideas.

Add Some Color

While you should keep the main color of your house a neutral color that is attractive to all, you don’t have to have a drab looking house. You can add pops of color in many different ways. From plants and flowers to a unique color for your door. Flowers such as hydrangeas or azaleas are easy to maintain flowers that can add a pop of color without requiring much upkeep. Of course, it is best to research which flowers will thrive the most in your area.

Refresh the Windows

Clean windows are a great simple way to help your home look its best. While a simple clean might do the trick, if your windows are old and cloudy, cracked or unsightly, it might be time to replace them. Keep in mind that a new window, while costly upfront, could save you in the long run. New windows can also increase your home value, improve energy costs and even enhance security. You should also be sure to check the window sills and trim, check for cracks and peeling paint and be sure to refresh as needed.

Update the Front Door

The front door is the entry point to your home, and thus one of the most important pieces to consider when boosting your curb appeal. While you can often get away with a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware, like windows, you need to know when to cut your losses and get a new door altogether. If your door has seen better days, is beyond repair or is simply looking sad, it might be time to price out a new one. Keep in mind that a door is also a security issue. Tenants are often looking for safety features in a home, and a new, solid door might just be your ticket to a happy tenant. You should also check the weather stripping around the door and the trim to ensure there are no cracks or peeling paint that needs to be cleaned up.

Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

Finally, be sure to keep an eye on the status of your home’s paint job. If paint is peeling or looking faded, it can drive potential tenants away. It gives off vibes of an unkempt house. While painting isn’t always the easiest job in the world, a fresh coat of paint can really help your home pop and stand out amongst the competition.

Final Thoughts on Curb Appeal for Rental Properties

When it comes to boosting your home’s curb appeal, it can be tempting to make your home appear cozy and homey. While there is something to be said for nice displays of flowers in pots or flower boxes, be sure to keep the personalization to a minimum. The goal is to add just enough that your tenants can envision themselves there, without overpowering them with your personal preferences. Remember, you are boosting your home’s curb appeal to help attract tenants, not show off your tastes. 

So, keep your yard trimmed back, choose easy maintenance bushes, keep paint and fixtures fresh and repair anything broken. Consider garden lighting for when it’s dark. Don’t over personalize. You can invest more money if you want, or if necessary, and get new hardware such as a new front door or windows. Don’t forget about the mailbox, either. With these simple, actionable steps you should be able to increase your curb appeal and attract more tenants. 

Ready to see how much you could be renting your property for? With the Renters Warehouse FREE rental price analysis, you can see how much your rental could be generating each month.