Curb appeal is mostly about aesthetics, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a lot of attention during the leasing process. That’s because curb appeal has an impact on your rental value, your ability to attract the best Charleston tenants, and the overall condition of your property.
A home that doesn’t look great from the outside isn’t going to be in hot demand. That means a longer vacancy period and lower rents.
Luckily, improving the curb appeal of your Charleston property doesn’t require a huge investment of time and resources.
We have some ideas on how to make your rental home look better to prospective tenants.
Clean and Pressure Wash the Property
Are your trash cans sitting at the end of the driveway? Bring them in. Clean up any random trash, debris that may be floating around the yard, or clumps of leaves and sticks that tend to gather in corners of the house and along the walkway.
When things look clean outside, prospective tenants assume things to be clean inside.
Give the property, any patios, and the driveway a good cleaning as well. It’s easy to forget how easy and inexpensive power washing your property can be. There’s going to be a lot of debris, dirt, pollen, and wayward leaves clinging to the outside of your rental home. Your driveway and sidewalks can likely use a good cleaning, too. Pavement tends to get darker as the dirt accumulates.
Review the Condition of your Exterior Paint
Painting the interior of your property is likely part of almost every turnover. Don’t forget the exterior paint. It should be refreshed every 10 years, at least. One of the things potential renters will first notice about your property is the paint condition.
Look at the paint on your property. If it’s faded, chipping, or simply unattractive – schedule some painters to give it a modern, clean facelift.
Improve Your Exterior Lighting
Good lighting outside your property contributes to curb appeal – but it’s more than that. Your exterior lighting is also about security.
You want your tenants and their guests to feel safe coming and going in the dark. Make sure there’s good lighting at the front door, especially on the porch so tenants can get a look at who is outside before they open the door. You also want to have enough lighting on the side of the house, and in the back. Motion lights can be a good idea in garages, carports, or parking areas.
Make an Effort with Landscaping
Your landscaping is the centerpiece of your curb appeal efforts. Whether it’s a single-family home with a nice lawn or a condo with a small courtyard, you need to make sure your outdoor space is welcoming, attractive, and comfortable.
It should also be low-maintenance. Tenants don’t typically want to invest a lot of their free time maintaining the yard and mowing the grass. Don’t invest in expensive, extreme landscaping, but make sure the outside areas look as good as they can.
Touch up the mailbox, hang a wreath on the front door, and lay down a doormat so tenants can wipe their feet before entering the home. These small details will matter to your curb appeal just as much as paint and power washing.
These are some general ways that you can improve your curb appeal. If you’d like some ideas and suggestions that are specific to your rental property, please contact us at Charleston Home Rentals.
