Rental Season Prep - Curb Appeal
With another rental season just around the corner, curb appeal can make a dramatic difference to any home that is for sale or in a rental program. With so many choices on the OBX, the market is more competitive than ever. If your house is in a rental program, you have to “sell” your home on a weekly basis to potential renters.
Here are a few things to consider when prioritizing your needs for the season:
- Power Washing: While deep cleaning the interior of your rental home is a necessity, cleaning the exterior of your property can also make a dramatic difference to your curb appeal. It’s also relatively inexpensive.
- Interior Painting: Though the interior of your house isn’t necessarily tied into the concept of curb appeal, it is important when booking rentals. You may not need to paint the entire house, but consider painting the most used and/or visible areas (living room, entry, or kitchen). Often times hallways and bedrooms can be touched up quickly if you have any leftover paint from previous paint jobs.
- Exterior Painting: Beachfront homes take a beating on the Outer Banks. Often times, there’s just no way to get around the fact that your house needs another paint job; however, you may be able to get by with painting only the front of the house or the east-facing side of the house. Even if you just paint the trim it will have a dramatic impact to your curb appeal.
- Hardware: Cleaning or replacing rusty hardware and replacing outdated plumbing and lighting fixtures will spruce up your house.
- Front Door: a splash of color can do wonders and make the house feel more inviting.
- Trim and Siding: Repair or replace damaged house trim and siding. Not only is it aesthetically unpleasing to the eye, it could lead to long-term problems if left untreated.
