Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Your Long Beach Rental
Dustin Edwards • June 11, 2021
Create Curb Appeal and a Happy Tenant with the Right Landscape Design
All too often, tenants are not willing to put the necessary time and energy into maintaining a yard with high upkeep. Rather, they prefer something simple and non-stressful that requires almost no effort.
Implementing low-maintenance rental landscaping can help you stand out alongside competitors. Furthermore, finding the right options can add some extra beauty and charm to your property. Below are some of the many additions to contemplate for your Long Beach rental.
Rocks and Decomposed Granite
Although many Americans are accustomed to white-picket-fences and lush lawns, caring for this idealized vision is difficult in Southern California especially in Long Beach.
Abandoning vibrant grass yards does not mean your rental has to look unsightly!
On the contrary.
Combining rocks and pebbles with decomposed granite pathways creates a simple yet sleek design that enhances your rental and requires almost no upkeep. Additionally, this arrangement will intrigue tenants looking for a low-maintenance property.
Bark
Bark is a different approach that is softer and might appeal more to tenants with younger children. You can easily substitute bark for rocks and pebbles, and even create a pathway using bark instead of decomposed granite.
If you intend to add plenty of foliage to your rental, bark (or mulch) may provide an easier landscape to plant in rather than rock.
Bark is a product that you can find at local home improvement stores. Generally the cost of bark is in the $3-$5 range depending on store and size of bag. If you have a large yard for your rental property or a large area you are buying bark for you can look at places that sell bark in large quantities.
A place to buy in bulk near Long Beach is in Fullerton, CA. Check out Southwest Boulder and Stone
if your project looks like you are going to be taking multiple truck loads of park.
Drought-tolerant Plants
Another landscaping addition to consider is drought-tolerant plants. They do not require frequent watering, thus alleviating a tenant’s responsibilities and lowering water bills.
Besides needing little to no water, many drought-tolerant plants provide welcome shade for hot sunny days and add a splash of color to the muted tones of rocks, bark, and/or decomposed granite. Aloe, bottle brush, crassula, kangaroo paw, lavender, and palo verde are all lovely drought-tolerant plant options.
If you are looking for more drought resistant plant options that are recommended to Southern California check out this additional Long Beach Garden resource.
Perennials
Alongside drought-tolerant plants, perennials are wonderful options for your Long Beach property since they live for over two years and, as such, do not need to be replaced often.
While they tend to require a little more attention than drought-tolerant plants, perennials are the best alternative to annuals if you are looking to add traditional flowers to your rental.
Perennials include carnations, chrysanthemums, daisies, geraniums, hibiscus, hydrangeas, peonies, and tulips. If you wish to view a more comprehensive list of perennials, we encourage you to visit Burpee’s catalog of perennials.
Outdoor Living Space
Constructing an outdoor living space that takes up all or most of your yard means less work for you and your tenants. Not to mention, your tenants will appreciate having an area where they can enjoy the fantastic Long Beach weather, indulge in some afternoon drinks, recline and read a book, or listen to music. Consider putting in cushioned lounge chairs, a dining set, and even a grill to make the space both enjoyable and versatile.
To add some privacy to this outdoor living space, think about putting up fencing. For more information regarding types of fencing and their effect on property value, check out the following blog post: 3 Items to Consider Regarding Fencing and Your Long Beach Rental.
Crafting a yard that is both tasteful and low-maintenance is far from impossible. While it may take some time and research, it will ultimately make you and your tenants happier.
If you want a property manager to give you 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.
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Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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