You’ve heard about the importance of curb appeal time and time again. It’s a much-repeated piece of advice in the real estate business for a reason. How your house looks on the outside is at least as important as everything behind the front door. Good curb appeal can even increase your property value, as well as making it easier to snag the best tenants. But hearing the advice is one thing — turning your rental property into a gorgeous, renter-ready masterpiece is another.
At Rent Portland Homes by Darla Andrew, our business is in making sure our properties look their absolute best when we create a winning rental listing. We’ve talked in the past about how to stage your rental attractively, but what about the exterior? If you’re thinking of putting your home on the rental market and want to draw in the best tenants and price your rental at the top of the market, curb appeal should be on your mind.
What is Curb Appeal, And Why Should You Care?
Whether you’re new to the rental business or an experienced hand looking to step up your game, it’s never too late to start thinking about your property’s aesthetics. When property managers toss around the term “curb appeal,” it refers to what a prospective tenant thinks when they pull up to the curb and see your property for the first time. What’s going through their head: Is it admiration of the neat lawn and skillful gardening, or dubiousness at a peeling paint job?
Yes, curb appeal might seem like a surface-level concern. Of course, it’s essential to take care of any outstanding maintenance or repair concerns before listing your home online. But don’t give curb appeal the brush-off. Though every tenant likely tours a property intending to make a logical decision, the emotions that influence their choice are just as powerful (if not more so). Whatever that potential tenant’s first impression may be, it’s the emotion they’re going to carry with them as they step across the threshold and judge the property for its attributes — and flaws.
Make sure you don’t scare your dream tenant away before they even set foot inside your rental. Go to the extra effort to up your rental’s curb appeal, and you’ll be sure to reap the benefits.
How To Maximize Your Rental’s Curb Appeal
So we know why curb appeal is important; now it’s time to make your property shine. Here are a few things to consider when getting your rental ready for listing:
Take Care Of Necessary Maintenance
Firstly, you’ll want to make sure your home has all the maintenance basics covered. Are the gutters cleaned and in good repair? Are any of the window shutters loose? Have our rainy Portland winters led to moss growing on the roof? Take a walk around your property with a critical eye, and note down any damage or blemishes. Your first order of business will be to take care of those more significant issues, so they don’t attract attention from your rental’s more attractive attributes.
Get The Exterior Squeaky Clean
Even a solid coat of paint will look unappealing if it’s covered in dirt or mildew. Before you even think about listing your property, make sure it’s as clean as you can get it, both inside and out. If you have a deck or porch, you might want to rent a power washer to get all the grit out. Ensure the windows are shined and clear out any dead or fallen vegetation that would clutter an otherwise beautiful lawn.
Dust-Off The Lawn Mower
Of course, when you’re standing in front of a rental, the house itself is only half the picture. A gorgeous home situated on a scraggly lawn won’t turn any heads. Make sure the grass is neat, the flowerbeds weeded, and keep the trees pruned. Be sure to pull up any weeds in the walkway and driveway leading to the door as well. You might consider putting up some lighting in the yard to make the home feel more inviting to any tenants who take an evening tour.
Dive Into The Details
Once you’ve left yourself a clean and well-repaired foundation, it’s time to get into the finishing touches. The front door is likely the focal point of your house’s exterior, so make sure it’s got a fresh coat of paint. If you want to go the extra mile, you might even plant some flowers in available beds or set some out in pots near the front door. These little pops of color and life can instantly take a home’s curb appeal to the next level.
Plan For The Photo Op
In all likelihood, a potential tenant will see your rental for the first time online. Clean, professional-quality photos will help draw in renters and give them confidence that your listing is legitimate. Use a quality camera, wait for a sunny day, and don’t be afraid to snap duplicates. You’ll want a large selection of good photos to choose from while you craft your listing.
No One Knows Curb Appeal Like The Experts
Being a landlord is a challenging gig, even without worrying about how to attract tenants in the first place. When you’re competing in Portland’s aggressive rental market, your property can’t afford to look anything less than its best. If you’re tired of sprucing up your rental and taking professional-grade photos just to stand out in the crowd, you might want to consider hiring a property manager. At Rent Portland Homes by Darla Andrew, we know what makes a great listing photo as well as what potential tenants want to see on site. Our team of experts leverages years of experience in the Portland rental market to track local property market trends, so rental stays on top of the pile.
And, of course, we can do far more than put together a killer listing. We handle all the details of managing your property, such as vetting tenants, collecting rent, handling maintenance, and addressing tenant issues. Whether you prefer to take a more hands-on approach to your rental or are happy to sit back and reap the benefits, we’re here to help. If you’re ready to start making the most of your time and money in the Portland rental market, call or text us any time at (503) 515-3170, or drop us a line through our website’s contact form. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook for property photos and management insights.