Is Curb Appeal Important for Duplexes or Any Investment Property..?

 

A Side by Side Comparison – Which One Would You Live In…?

I was out and about driving in the area looking at property and saw two Duplexes side by side and thought I’d show them to you here.

Let me guess which place you would want to live in.

 

DUPLEX NO. ONE

As you can see this one is nicely landscaped… well manacured that shows “pride of ownership” because it’s got an Owner that runs it right. 

 

In fact when I took this picture today she was getting a bid to have the exterior painted.   She got a chuckle when I told her why I was there to take a picture.   

  

DUPLEX NO. TWO

 

This Duplex is located directly next door and to the right of the picutre above.  In my opinion this not only impacts the rental value of this property, it also effects the rental value of the one above as well.

 

  

 

DUPLEX NO. ONE 

A FULL VIEW FROM ACROSS THE STREET

  What is there negative to say about this property?    Yea… maybe it does need a new paint job to update the curb appeal a bit.  This owner knows the value of putting money back into an investment to get a consistant return.  That’s why she was there with a painting contractor to make sure it’s kept up. 

   

 

DUPLEX NO. TWO

A VIEW FROM ACROSS THE STREET

While I don’t know how often the owners drive by his property, if they don’t have time…?   Maybe he should hire a Property Manager that would have this responsibility. 

I think you would agree,  that if you as an owner,  don’t maintain or care about the curb appeal of your property, don’t expect a tenant to pick up the slack.   Chances are they will make it worse if you don’t have expectations and rules for them.

Folks…  You know… I’m not saying that you have to spend a lot of money on landscaping, but an initial investment in some trees, flowering shurbs, a timed sprinkler system and some lawn area will pay you back big time in the form of higher rents paid by quality tenants.   They will pay you on time and when you go to sell this asset…?  Ask your Agent or Broker how much the Sales Price is affected if it’s got a lush landscaped “curb appeal”.

Make it a great day…!

 

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