Vacancies are bad news for landlords. You don’t want your rental units empty for too long. A high vacancy rate reduces your cash flow while still causing various expenses.
There are many ways how to attract new tenants. One of the essential approaches is better landscaping. Great curb appeal piques prospective tenants’ interest, says Florida Property Management & Sales. It’s an easy way to make a great first impression.
So, how will you update your landscaping? In this article, we’ll go over simple landscaping ideas that can make a big difference in your rental business.
- Redirect sprinklers
Many properties have sprinklers that aim for plant tops. The water reaches the roots eventually, right? Actually, you should direct the sprinklers straight near the roots. This is a simple fix that can make a huge difference.
Why? The plants will look better because there’s no water damaging the leaves and blooms. Everything looks lusher. There’s less water that evaporates before reaching the roots.
These subtle changes can boost your rental property’s curb appeal.
- Create a berm
A berm is a rounded mound of soil that comes in various heights. This is a common landscaping feature in golf courses. But more homeowners use this approach in their yards as well.
Creating a berm can serve as a focal point of your property’s yard. There are more benefits such as: helping with drainage, gives extra privacy, provides aesthetic value, and diffuses noises from the street
Don’t forget to add a substantial amount of mulch for countering weed growth. Many plantings work for berms. Here are some of the options:
- Perennials
- Flowering bushes
- Evergreens
- Ornamental grasses
- Cacti and succulents
Planting on a berm differs from other beds in your yard. The raised ground can dry and compact the soil. It helps to use plants that work against erosion instead of enabling it.
Water your berm planting on a regular basis. This is another way to make sure the soil won’t dry out. And before planting anything, ensure that the soil has a good quality.
- Opt for native plants
Native plants will thrive in your yard. This improves the overall look of the property’s landscaping. These plants handle the climate while being better adapted against pests and diseases as well.
But there are more reasons besides the aesthetic value for planting native plants. These are:
- The majority of the native plants flourish without extra watering.
- The yard could attract more wildlife, which is considered to be a perk by many prospective tenants.
- A lot of homes have popular exotic flowers and trees. Native plant oriented yard could really stand out.
- You’ll pollute less. Native plants don’t need the heavy use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.
- Open up outdoor sitting areas
Does your rental property have outdoor seating areas? Installing comfortable seating enhances the property’s value. There are many possible takes on outdoor seating. For example, you could put in a picnic area, porch swings, benches and seating areas, and update your patio furniture.
- Install an external sound system
This may sound more complicated than it really is. Installing an external sound system isn’t expensive if you skip the high-end products. And installing it can be a breeze when following simple online guides.
However, external sound systems provide a lot of value to the tenants. You are able to extend the system to remote areas of the yard. The waterproof materials create stress-free solutions for upgrading the outdoor space.
- Upgrade the lighting
Landscape lighting adds tremendous value to your rental property. Lighting is a solution that provides both aesthetic and safety. For energy-efficiency, you could consider outdoor LED bulbs.
When you use LED-powered lighting, your tenants will be happy for the lower utility bills. And there are numerous color and intensity options to choose from. Advanced solutions allow your tenants to control mood lighting outside their home.
- Experiment with hardscaping
Some tenants are in love with the results of hardscaping. The hardscapes next to the green areas make the areas covered in plants especially attractive. At the same time, it’s a smart way to reduce maintenance needs.
- Refresh the exterior hardware
Small details can make a big difference. Getting a facelift on your rental property’s exterior hardware is a budget-friendly step. You could consider adding new house numbers, preferably with an artistic touch.
Installing new door knockers and handles gives a more modern look. Even switching out the mailbox is a way to make your property more attractive. Many prospective tenants appreciate a unified look on all the exterior hardware products.
- Plant fragrant flowers
People love the fresh and sweet smell of flowers. Sometimes the fragrances may feel simple intoxicating. Matching pretty flower colors with attractive scents could raise the chance of signing a lease.
There are many flowers to choose from. Here are just a few possible candidates:
- Rose
- Lavender
- Lily
- Hydrangea
- Fuchsia
- Install solar lights
Solar accent lights are beautiful in many yards. They are one of the best ways to illuminate your rental property’s walkway. The best thing is that they won’t consume any electricity.
When you install the solar accent lights, make sure to place them close together. The light should overlap to provide additional safety when using the walkway after sunset.
The bottom line: landscaping changes to attract tenants
High vacancy rates are bad for your rental business. It pays to make adjustments in the interior and exterior of your rental property.
There are many simple landscaping ideas that can boost your rental property’s curb appeal. Some of them come in both low-cost and high-end options. You can pick the best solution according to your budget.
These are some of the potential landscaping upgrades:
- Creating a berm filled with plants
- Adding new hardscaping features
- Updating the outside lighting solutions
- Opening up outdoor sitting areas
- Installing an external sound system
- Redirecting your sprinklers
- Having only native plants in the yard
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