Landscaping that is attractive and provides curb appeal is important to the majority of homeowners as it can act as an enjoyable space and enhance the overall feeling of the property. Many potential tenants also value and look for these aspects when searching for a rental. However, relying on your tenants to effectively maintain the foliage and keep your rental’s front yard looking stunning is a dangerous gamble. As such, it’s essential to find a balance between designing a front yard that your residents will enjoy and that you can effectively upkeep on your own. Over the years of managing property in Long Beach we’ve realized that maintenance of landscaping for rentals requires a different approach.
For starters, ditch the idea of perfect white picket fences and green grass lawns. While this may be a picturesque display in cooler climates, the year-round warmth and drought-prone nature of Long Beach make it very challenging to sustain this kind of front yard. Most importantly, preserving the vibrant color of grass and keeping it healthy requires lots of water. Not only is this harmful to the environment, but it will also greatly raise your rental’s water bill.
Instead, look into designing a yard with decomposed granite, an alternative to grass that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Additionally, it does not require any maintenance but still looks fantastic. Decomposed granite pairs nicely with stone or masonry pathways. These can add some lovely variety to your rental’s front yard and impress potential renters and guests alike.
Another aspect of
landscaping for your rental that can be expensive and challenging is flowers. Most flowers require frequent watering, specific soil and planting conditions, and do not bloom all year. In the dry climate of Southern California, summertime can be especially harsh on most flowers too. On the other hand, drought-tolerant plants require minimal watering and withstand tough conditions while still providing the beauty and uniqueness that flowers bring to a front yard. Agave, aloe, lupines, and moss rose are all great succulents and buds to plant among decomposed granite. Furthermore, shrubs like the California Fuschia, bottle brush, and red buckwheat supply excellent full coverage that attracts gorgeous bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding an extra drop of life and loveliness to the surroundings.
Consider even incorporating a boxed herb garden into your rental’s front yard or porch. Potential tenants will love the idea of being able to pick fresh herbs such as oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme for cooking and flavoring their meals. Best of all, the above-mentioned herbs are drought-tolerant and can even help repel mosquitos and pests, an added bonus that will hopefully make your job as a landlord easier by avoiding pesky invaders.
Despite the low maintenance nature of all of these items, keeping your rental’s front yard looking at its best still requires some assistance from time to time, whether that be trimming shrubs, pulling weeds, or running sprinkler systems. These tasks are rather small but can’t go without recognition. Therefore, make sure to discuss with potential renters the prospect of a little monthly yardwork fee, either to provide you with compensation for the extra work or for you to pay a gardener. This will also help offset the costs of replacing plants on the rare occasion that they do die.
Curating a front yard that you and your tenants are proud of doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. Following these tips can give your rental massive curb appeal at a low price. If you want a property manager to give you more personalized landscaping recommendations for your Long Beach rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our
Owner Application online.
