Daily Data 📈
In the real estate game, curb appeal is your first impression. It’s your handshake, telling everyone whether you’re worth their time and attention. Even in a hyper-competitive market, curb appeal counts – and not just when you’re trying to sell. If you missed part one of our curb appeal tips, be sure to catch up now!
If your property has a front porch, make it count. Create a sitting area with a rocking chair or porch swing. Add a few outdoor pillows, solar lanterns, and an outdoor rug if you can afford to complete the look. A great front porch says, “Welcome!” to everyone.
Trim details count. If your windows are plain, spruce them up with a new coat of paint, install shutters, or add planter boxes with low-maintenance, full coverage plants. These little details are easy and inexpensive to accomplish but they add a sense of refinement to the property.
Don’t let your walkways become an afterthought. Line sidewalks with a brick or stone border and stay on top of cracks and weeds. Constant pathway care also allows you to catch problems, like big cracks and uneven spots. Keeping your walkway smooth prevents slip-and-fall risks and looks great. From time-to-time, a replacement may be necessary. Based on the national average, fixing a sidewalk ranges from $1,750 to $2,500. Most homeowners pay around $2,000 per 250 sq. ft. for the fix. Go ahead and knock it out rather than relying on patch jobs.
Lawn care involves more than mowing. Be consistent in applying weed-and-feed treatments that minimize unwanted invaders. Keep mower blades sharp. If your lawn just isn’t healthy – whether it’s dying or overrun with weeds – install new sod and start over. Though it will depend on the size of the yard, the cost to lay sod yourself is about $2,000 and will take about 40 hours. Rake during the winter months. Many lawn-care tasks can be delegated to the residents, if not taken care of by your maintenance team.
Little details make a big difference. Here are a few ideas:
- Matching, consistent outdoor hardware
- Seasonal wreaths
- Replace worn welcome mats
- Add a nice door knocker
- Install a pleasing wind chime or other decorative piece
Power washers aren’t too expensive to rent and, if we’re honest, they’re pretty fun to use. The exterior of your property, from siding and trim to driveways and fences, will become dingy and discolored over time. A good power wash reveals original, vibrant colors and returns their consistency. It eliminates mold, moss, and other build-up caused by neglect. After a good wash, you have the opportunity to spruce things up with a fresh coat of paint, too.
Use a Renter's Mindset to Excel in Property Management
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The customer experience is often overlooked in business simply because it's difficult to quantify. With that said, it’s no less a vital part to your success as a real estate investor. While some factors are beyond your control, the resident experience is a big piece of the puzzle.
The Word
Check out our recommended reading for the week:
- Is Now a Good Time to Refinance Your Mortgage? (Money)
- Fluctuations in mortgage rates are headline news these days. It's a fair question to ask how to make the most of our current reality.
- Why should you care? Timing will never be perfect to make money moves, but we like the list at the end of the article as a go-to.
- 13 Things Not to Do When Selling Your House (Do It Yourself)
- Perhaps you're interested in curb appeal in preparation for an investment exit strategy. Hey, that's a common thought these days!
- Why should you care? With the market as hot as it is, don't let your property be the sore thumb.
