Curb "Appeal"...It only starts with your curb

The decision to rent at a community is often made in the first moment you arrive on the community. Is there trash? Does it look well maintained? Does it look like they care? Does this look like a place I want to live?

Curb appeal, when done correctly, is our chance to make a great first impression on prospects and residents.  It takes the continual effort of both the office and maintenance staff.  You want to use your communities curb appeal to draw people into the office. Similarly, residents who live on the property may ask themselves the same question and it can influence their decision to renew.

Here is a list of ways you can enhance your curb appeal:

Landscaping.   Check around for dead shrubs and grass.  Make sure you are properly watering your flowers and that your grass is green.  If the landscaping looks dead or not maintained, the impression you give is that you don’t care.  Choose colorful and bright seasonal flowers to help enhance your green grass.

Balloons.  Balloons are great ways to spruce up your curb appeal and make your entry more attractive.  They also draw the eye and attract attention.

Signs and banners.  Colorful, clean signs or banners should always be in good condition.  If not, have them cleaned.   Add some balloon bunches or flowers to these signs for further enhancement.   Changing them each season will also help keep them fresh.

Trash.  Trash should be picked up daily.  Make this a fun event, and include residents and staff by hosting a breakfast and trash pick morning.

Walk your property.  Look for broken blinds that need to be replaced.  Check out welcome mats, both inside and out and make sure they are clean.  Ensure your hallways are cleans of trash and dirt.  Look at rails of stairs and clean them for cobwebs. 

Lighting.  Make sure routine lighting inspections are done and evaluate any areas that may need more attention or additional lighting.  Also, make sure these lights are actually working. 

Below is a link to Zillow for some more tips on how to improve curb appeal as we enter into the heart of the leasing season:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=12&ved=0CDIQFjAL&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zillow.com%2Fblog%2Fpro%2F6-tips-apartment-curb-appeal-114942%2F&ei=hUsfVf-IJq7PsQTYj4GYDQ&usg=AFQjCNH-Uu1Y4m2S8vVyAvz9q-qGhPjp7g