With the busy summer leasing season upon us, in a very competitive rental market, we all know that having meticulous lawns and beautifully landscaped areas is key to your leasing success. At all of our communities, that first thorough property walk after the snow melts and the sun is finally shining is crucial to getting a jump start on attaining beautiful curb appeal.
We've compiled a list of key components in maintaining your community's top-notch curb appeal:
Colorful, eye-catching landscape displays-
Keeping with the basics of clearing out plant beds, street and sidewalk sweeping and weekly lawn maintenance is always important. Additionally, planting bright and colorful seasonal flowers throughout the season is a great way to catch the eye of drive-by traffic. To get "pops" of color in your plant beds, opt for bright tones of purple, pink, red or yellow. Also, sticking with one color, or one bright color plus white, and planting them close together so that they come up lush and full will give even more of an impact.
If your budget allows, install large planters at your community entrance to enhance your curb appeal. We suggest planting ornamental grasses of different textures and varying heights, some tall, some hanging, along with colorful seasonal flowers to create a dynamic display right at your entrance.
Exterior lighting-
We often think of curb appeal during the sunny daytime hours when we're out touring our properties. However, nighttime curb appeal is something we're beginning to focus on more and more. Not only does effective lighting create a sense of safety for residents and visitors walking around the community, exterior lighting can draw attention to the community 24 hours a day. Recently, we selected beautiful decorative lights to install in our patio barbeque area. Not only does this enhance the amenity and allow residents to sit and enjoy the outdoor patio into the evening hours, now those walking around the community visiting friends in the evening are more inclined to notice this amenity.
Signage-
Not only is it important to have great looking flowers and shrubs, but the signs they go around must be in tip-top shape as well! It is important that the signs be clean, correct, clear of debris and informative. We all know that as part of your monthly inspection you should be giving the sign a detailed inspection however, it should be something you are at least glancing at on your way in and out of the property every day. It's not only essential to check the large property entrance sign, but all the stop signs, directional and parking signs throughout the community as well. Many prospects take a drive through the property before coming to the leasing office so you want all your signs to be matching, correct, clear of debris and easy to read.
Helpful hint!-- If your property has multiple entrances you want to use a different entrance every couple of days so all signs are being looked at on a regular basis.
What new ideas or helpful hints do you have to share?
-The Athletics
