Blog Post

Have You Considered the Maintenance of Your Landscaping?

Dustin Edwards • Aug 25, 2022

Landscaping is Important for the Look and Feel of Your Rental Property

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.


Rental Property Landscaping is Different


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.

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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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