Your Blackfoot rental property’s backyard is one of its best features. But there’s a huge difference between creating your dream backyard and making a functional, attractive one. The latter will help you maximize your rental rates and increase your property’s value, while the former may not achieve either.
The smarter thing to do than to spend a lot on an extravagant backyard for a rental property is to create an appealing, low-maintenance yard that tenants will love and that is easy to keep up.
How much landscaping is too much?
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a rental property owner is to amplify the landscaping. Landscape professionals say that you should spend at most 10 percent of the property’s value on landscaping. However, you don’t need to go that high unless there is a tangible benefit to doing so. A home with an extensively landscaped yard will not incur as much extra rent as you might think. Overdoing the landscaping can actually turn future tenants away due to all the additional upkeep required from them.
Focus on backyard upgrades that offer the highest returns for the cost to keep your property attractive and profitable. The first step to a beautiful backyard isn’t even an upgrade at all. You should instead work on improving the quality of what’s already there. A green, neatly trimmed lawn and well-cared-for greenery will make your home look better right away and help boost the value of your property. If your property’s lawn is looking a bit sparse or bare, reseeding or adding some sod is one of the quickest ways to get your property’s backyard look better.
Improve the property’s backyard affordably
Outdoor lighting and meeting areas are two other relatively affordable backyard upgrades. Instead of filling up fancy planting beds with flowers, take into account upgrading your property’s yard with things that your tenant could use for parties or evening activities. These alterations are not only cost-effective but also add significant value to your property.
Adding a simple patio (or deck) could seem like an expensive upgrade, but you may create more appeal by offering a rental home with a ready-made space for people to get together with their family and friends. Unlike other backyard features, a study has shown that a patio or deck increases property values, making it an expense to consider for your rental property.
Outdoor lighting is one of the most budget-friendly backyard upgrades you can do, and it has benefits beyond simple appearance. Renters will love the supplementary safety and helpfulness of backyard lighting, such as motion-sensing or energy-efficient lighting fixtures. Outdoor lighting will also complement any outdoor gathering spaces your rental property has, increasing the home’s curb appeal at night.
Regardless of the improvements you choose for your Blackfoot rental property’s backyard, being aware of which ones deliver the best return on your investment is an important element of successful property management. By focusing on quality amenities with a low-maintenance design, you can attract the type of renters you want while also raising the worth of your property. As a property owner, you have the power to shape a backyard that tenants will appreciate and that will enhance your property’s appeal.
At Real Property Management Pocatello, we help people plan a backyard design that gets the most for their money. We know which improvements to the backyard lead to higher rent, and we can help you get your Blackfoot home ready to make the backyard more appealing to tenants. To find out more, please contact us online or call us at 208-234-1000.
Originally Published on Dec 13, 2019
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