Does curb appeal mean how clean your property’s curbs are? No, not really, but in some respects, yes, it does. Curb appeal is how we appear to the public. Are your parking lots, sidewalks, laundry rooms, entries, garbage areas and common areas free of litter and debris?
Curb appeal is what both residents and prospective residents see when they drive into your property at any given moment on any given day. The impression that a person gets about you, your property and our company, is determined by those few brief moments. Curb appeal determines leasing success and resident satisfaction, which translates into lower turnover and higher occupancy.
Why is curb appeal important?
- Improved rental results.
- Makes us stand apart from the competition.
- Higher occupancy. Higher rents.
- Lower turnover/higher resident retention and satisfaction.
- Happy residents!
- Good preventative maintenance practices.
- Attracts a healthy resident profile.
- Projects a professional image.
Important Areas of Focus
Primary areas of focus to guarantee good curb appeal are: landscape, laundry rooms, signage, pools, exterior lighting, trash areas, patios/decks/windows, hallways/entryways, parking lots, gutters, common facilities and exterior paint. Use the following lists to grade your property’s curb appeal and to maintain its success.
Landscape
A prospective resident will be inspecting with their eyes all the way from the street to your front door! Clean and well-maintained landscaping is an “attention-getter” as it adds life to your community. Keep an eye on the following:
- Green lawns, consistently mowed and edged, free of weeds.
- Shrub beds raked regularly, free of weeds and debris.
- Bark dust as needed, particularly in “marketing corridors”.